interview
friend of Rihanna
US law expert explains: Asap Rocky could face a long prison sentence
Rihanna is heavily pregnant and her partner Asap Rocky is only out on bail
© Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/dpa
Rapper Asap Rocky was arrested at the LA airport on Wednesday morning. The charge is assault. Rihanna’s boyfriend faces jail time Of the star spoke to the lawyer Dr. Jürgen Rodegra on the case.
His girlfriend Rihanna is heavily pregnant with their baby. When Asap Rocky flew back from vacationing together on the Caribbean island of Barbados, he was arrested on Wednesday. The reason for this is an incident from November 2021. A dispute between two acquaintances is said to have escalated. Assault and use of a firearm. The victim was slightly injured. dr Jürgen Rodegra, lawyer in Berlin with approval in the US state of New York, explains what can happen to the rapper under American criminal law.
Dr. Rodegra, can you explain to us why Asap Rocky could be arrested right at the airport?
Asap Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, is a suspect in a November 6 incident in Hollywood. A direct arrest of the accused is related to the severity of the guilt, but also to the risk of absconding. The rapper just got back from vacation. In Germany, you will be arrested during investigations by the public prosecutor’s office if there is a risk of collusion or flight. The situation is similar in US law. Above all, a serious reason for arrest could be the weapon involved in the conflict he is accused of.
Why was Asap Rocky released just hours after his arrest?
According to media reports, the rapper’s bail was set at $550,000. He must have paid his bail to be released from custody. But that also means that Asap Rocky is no longer allowed to leave the country. If he were to travel abroad, the bail would be forfeited and he would be arrested again when he returned.
Asap Rocky was already convicted of assault in Sweden in 2019 – can this judgment affect the current trial?
Should Asap Rocky be found guilty of the current allegations, it is up to the judge whether the 2019 verdict has an aggravating effect. However, it’s quite possible since it’s another case of assault and there’s only two years between the events.
What is the current status of the process?
At the moment, the public prosecutor’s office is investigating Rihanna’s boyfriend. This takes measures in the course of their investigations and instructed the arrest by the police. In November, at the time of the crime, Asap Rocky could obviously not be proven to have been involved in the incident. Now, in the preliminary investigation, an urgent suspicion seems to have been established. At this point, no trial against the rapper has started.
What Sentence Can Asap Rocky Face If Convicted?
It is still very early to judge the sentence. However, in the United States, it is common for gun violence to carry a three to five year prison sentence. The trial will depend heavily on who was holding the gun.
If the rapper were convicted, would he have to serve his sentence in a normal US prison?
Yes, it is. Asap Rocky would get no special treatment. This form of equality for convicts is strictly observed in the USA.