The Chris Brown sentence: community service v. community labor

AP Photo

The sentence of singer Chris Brown has been delayed, according to an AP press release. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg explained that the delay occurred so that the court can learn more about whether Brown can serve a sentence that includes community labor in his home state of Virginia. Judge Schnegg has said that she would rather have Brown do community work such as graffiti removal or roadside cleanup. A plea deal in the case calls for Brown serving five years of probation and six months of community labor.

Why the delay over the difference between community service and community labor? Generally, community service includes unpaid work for a civic or nonprofit organization. Often, community service is related to the unique abilities or circumstances of the individual who is serving the sentence. In 2007, Snoop Dogg was given the opportunity to perform 400 hours community service related to a youth football league the rapper established. Naomi Campbell had to sweep floors and mop and scrub toilets for several days at a New York facility as part of her court-ordered sentence for assaulting her maid.

On the other hand, community labor is much different from community service and for a high profile celebrity like Chris Brown, clearing brush on the roadside and removing graffiti could be a greater sentence than a form of community service.

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