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Rapper Big Boi Avoids Jail on Drug Charges in Miami

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on October 13, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

OutKast rapper Big Boi will avoid jail. The star, whose real name is Antwan Patton, has struck a deal with prosecutors.

The rapper was busted earlier this year disembarking a cruise ship in Florida with drugs on him. He was carrying ecstasy, a cigarette with marijuana residue, and MDMA.

What exactly does Big Boi have to do to avoid the big house?

He'll have to endure three months of drug testing, do community service, and donate $2,000 to charities. If he stays clean, the charges will be dropped.

Considering that at one point Big Boi was facing up to four felony charges, his current agreement seems like a sweet deal.

In many situations a plea deal won't end up in charges being dropped. Plea bargains can take a variety of different shapes and forms. The most common plea agreement is when a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge with the greater charge dismissed. For example, someone could plead guilty to a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

But why let Big Boi get off without any jail time? There could be a variety of different reasons. Maybe prosecutors thought the rapper wasn't all that much of a harm to society.

As it benefits defendants, the court and the prosecutors, plea bargaining is a relatively common practice.

So Big Boi may avoid jail for now, but it's all contingent on him staying drug-free. Mr. Antwan Patton, should probably try his hardest avoid all illegal substances going forward.

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