Chad Johnson could have received some community service but then he went and slapped his attorney on the butt.
According to NFL.com , the former NFL player better known as Chad Ochocinco, was in court today for violating his parole . Ochocinco’s lawyers had worked out a plea deal that would have given Johnson community service and a few hours of counseling. The deal fell through, however, when Johnson slapped his lawyer Adam Swickle on the rear end.
The incident happened after Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh asked Johnson if he was satisfied with his lawyer’s performance. Ochocinco playfully tapped his lawyer on the butt and made the entire courtroom, except for McHugh, burst out laughing.
McHugh then changed the deal and sentenced Johnson to 30 days in jail.
McHugh said: “‘I don’t know that you’re taking this whole thing seriously. I just saw you slap your attorney on the backside. Is there something funny about this? ‘The whole courtroom was laughing. I’m not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn’t a joke.”
Johnson, 35, tried to apologize for the incident but McHugh wasn’t having it.
Johnson said: ”This is your courtroom. I have no intent to make this a joke. It’s not funny… My life is in a shambles right now and I try my best to laugh and keep a smile on my face.”
McHugh wasn’t budged, however, and had the footballer taken away to jail.
Ochocinco was standing trial for violating his probation in regard to his domestic abuse case last year. The former NFL player plead guilty to headbutting his then-wife Evelyn Lonzada during an altercation in August. Johnson was let go by the Miami Dolphins shortly after the incident and hasn’t played in the NFL since.