Butt slap lands Chad Johnson in jail

Judge gives former Miami Dolphins wide receiver 30 days in jail for violating probation

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A typical play on the football field led a judge to sentence former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson to 30 days in jail.

Johnson on Monday accepted a plea deal for violation of probation. The charged stemmed from his domestic battery conviction last year.

The plea deal he accepted extended his probation until Dec. 21.

"You better thank your lawyer. He did a great job for you," Broward Circuit Court Judge Kathleen McHugh told Johnson after he accepted the plea deal.

Johnson then slapped his attorney, Adam Swickle, on the butt. The courtroom erupted in laughter, but McHugh said she didn't think Johnson was taking his case seriously and rejected the plea deal.

The case was recalled, and after Johnson pleaded guilty to violation of probation, McHugh sentenced him. His probation was also extended to Dec. 21 and he must perform 25 hours of community service, two of the same terms included in the plea deal she rejected.

During his probation, Johnson must attend counseling twice a week.

Johnson apologized several times to McHugh, saying he didn't intend to disrespect her or the court.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Johnson violated the terms of his probation by failing to meet with probation specialists on Feb. 15 and March 15 and for failing to show proof of enrollment and completion of the Batterers Intervention Program (B.I.P.).

He pleaded no contest to one count of domestic battery in September 2012. Johnson was arrested on August 11 at his Davie home after he was accused of head butting then-wife Evelyn Lozada during an argument.

When an arrest warrant for violating his probation was filed, Swickle called the charge a misunderstanding and said that they thought Johnson was on administrative probation, which doesn't require regular check-ins.

Johnson was cut by the Dolphins shortly after his arrest. He and his wife have since divorced.