Meek Mill Freed for NowHip hop recording artist Meek Mill had been sentenced in November 2017 by Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley for violating probation related to a 2008 conviction on gun and drug charges—but now he is free.

Arrested and charged in August 2017 with reckless driving of a motorcycle in New York City while filming a music video, Mill was found by Brinkley to be in technical violation of his probation even though the charges of reckless driving in NYC had been dismissed. Prosecutors also pointed to an altercation that took place in St. Louis, but this charge was also dismissed. Nonetheless, Judge Brinkley saw the need to see Mill behind bars.

However, thanks to an outpouring of high-status individuals’ support, from celebrities to politicians to business owners and sports stars all over the nation, attention was brought to bear on the case that led to Mill’s conviction—particularly on the credibility issues of the officer identified as a critical witness in the case. As a result, on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018, Mill was ordered to be released on bail by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and for a new hearing to be granted the defendant.

The 30-year old rapper, imprisoned for the past five months,...

The sentence, now overturned, had been viewed by criminal justice reformers as an example of why the criminal justice system is in need of overhaul.
Mill won support from a wide range of fans, including comedian-actor Kevin Hart, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, hip hop mogul Jay-Z, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Mill went on to say in his statement released on Tuesday that he wanted to use this opportunity to come to the support of many other minorities who do not have access to the same kind of outpouring of support that he had.

The Philadelphia 76ers, now in the midst of a playoff-fight, flew Mill via helicopter to their home game where he celebrated by ringing the team’s Liberty Bell. Several 76er players had shown support for Mill in the past. Kevin Hart was present to participate in the proceedings, and 76ers owner Michael Rubin, who supplied the helicopter, was on hand to show support.

Rubin, Hart and Mill all sat together courtside to watch the team close out its first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat and celebrate its first playoff advance in more than a decade.

The officer…