The Career Impact of A$AP Rocky’s Decision to Refuse a Plea Deal
Rapper A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, has declined a plea deal in his felony assault case, opting instead to proceed to trial.
The proposed agreement included a 180-day jail sentence, a guilty plea to assault with a semiautomatic weapon, a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation, and 500 hours of community service.
Rocky and his legal team believed that accepting this deal would severely damage his career, leading to the loss of endorsement contracts with brands like Gucci and Puma, and hindering his ability to tour.
The charges stem from a November 2021 incident in Hollywood, where Rocky is accused of firing a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli. Rocky has pleaded not guilty, asserting that the firearm in question was a prop. If convicted, he faces up to 24 years in prison.