With the Los Angeles District Attorney throwing the case back to investigators saying the charge against Chris Brown for making criminal threats is too weak to prosecute, Brown could end up facing only 6 months in prison or possibly less depending on how a plea bargain might turn out (there's no way in hell this case will ever go to trial).

While many media pundits were assuming that at the very least Brown would be charged with Felony Domestic Battery, because he and Rihanna were never married, weren't living together, and haven't conceived a child, their relationship doesn't meet the terms of that charge. So it's likely that the D.A. will only be able to file a case for assault, which carries a sentence of up to six months.

Brown's lawyers will almost surely approach the case by arguing that Rihanna instigated the fight, and while that doesn't excuse Brown's behavior, it could lead to a reduced sentence of perhaps only a few months.

On the other hand, Chris Brown is a lot dumber than I thought and is not helping himself by talking about the incident. As reported by the NY Post:

Disgraced R&B star Chris Brown has made his first statement following his alleged beating of superstar girlfriend Rihanna - he posted an update on his private Facebook page reading: "You'll begin to see her true colors. Believe it!"

So by true colors he must mean black and blue, right? Before he gets too cocky and opens his mouth, Brown may want to consider that by putting Rihanna on the defensive he's opening himself up to a massive civil suit. She could take him to the cleaners financially, particularly if the rumors of plastic surgery are true, and documented evidence of him not showing remorse would be fairly damning. Consider that Rihanna's fame and earning power are closely connected to her image and face (album covers, Revlon contract, etc.), and by physically assaulting her Brown jeopardized all of that. He'd better get his checkbook ready.