As rapper TI begins that previously reported community service in relation to those illegal weapon possession charges, his lawyer Dwight Thomas has told AllHipHop.com about the legal negotiations that went on behind the scenes ahead of the plea bargain which will see TI do a substantial 1500 hours of community service, at least 1000 hours in the next year. A decision on jail time was suspended for a year, though some say he is still likely to have to serve a year inside, despite the plea deal and community work. However, over the next year he will be under much less restrictions in terms of his movements than after his initial arrest last year, plus any curfew time forced by those restrictions will be counted as part of any jail sentence.
Asked about the somewhat sudden and unusual plea bargain in relation to this case, Thomas told the hip hop website: "We'd been doing some good faith negotiations for some time. This didn't happen over a couple of days. We've been involved in some lengthy discussions, both the attorneys for the state and the defence attorneys. This was a reasonable outcome and it was in his best interest. He's expressed remorse for what he's done and accepted responsibility. He's committed, he's sincere, he has a passion about helping others. That was one of the factors even at his bond hearing: the fact that he's such a charitable person. So I think it's gonna work out for him".