CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™

Pete Davidson may be jumping the gun a bit ... ascribing lawyer-dom to GF Kim Kardashian in a new tattoo.

Kim posted a pic of Pete's latest body of work ... "MY GIRL IS A LAWYER" above his left clavicle.

This ain't the first tattoo Pete has honoring Kim, but she's starting to really populate his bod.

There's a small point and a big point ... the small point is that Kim isn't a lawyer yet ... she passed the baby bar, but that just clears the path for her to take the real bar exam, which is in California is a bitch to pass.

The bigger point is that it's increasingly obvious Kim and Pete are a serious couple.

Justin Bieber is ready to leave some legal drama in the past ... officially asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit JB brought against two women who accused him of sexual assault

The singer filed to dismiss his defamation suit against a couple of Jane Does ... who, in 2020, alleged he'd violated them in 2014 and 2015.

While Justin was clearly outraged by the claims at first -- vehemently denying them -- a source with direct knowledge tells us he chose to dismiss the case because he felt he'd made his point and wanted to move on.

As you'll recall ... Bieber pointed out what he called major holes in the accuser's stories, insisting he had proof that he was NOT at any of the locations they said he was when the alleged assaults occurred.

In Jane Doe #1's case, the woman claimed he sexually assaulted her at a Four Seasons following a SXSW event in Austin. JB claimed he never stepped foot in there on the night in question ... but rather, stayed at a nearby rental property with then-GF Selena Gomez.

Megan Thee Stallion isn't walking away from her record label without a fight -- 1501 Certified Entertainment is suing, claiming her last "album" actually wasn't an album ... and she owes more recordings and a lot of money.

The label's countersuit, filed Monday, calls out Megan for her "Something for Thee Hotties" album release last year. Megan had sued 1501 back in February to declare the record fulfilled her contract.

Not so fast, according to 1501 ... which calls the record nothing more than a compilation of old, previously-released material. According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the label says 'Something' is "made up of 21 recordings and includes spoken interlude recordings on which MTS does not appear as well as several previously-released recordings."

As far as any new MTS material on the "album" -- 1501 says there's a mere 29 minutes worth of it, and to them, that's not enough to qualify as an album under her deal.

In the suit, the label says Megan is well aware any album she makes must include at least 12 "new master recordings of studio performances," and they have to be previously unreleased. Most importantly, 1501 says it has to approve all the tracks ... and it claims that didn't happen when Megan put together "Something for Thee Hotties."

Now, 1501 Certified Entertainment wants the judge to declare, once and for all, that 'Something' doesn't count as an album under her contract. If that's the case, she would owe the label 2 more albums.

The label also wants a full accounting of what Megan's made from "collaborations, sponsorships, endorsements, and side engagements" ... because she would owe the label a cut of that revenue. 1501 claims she's never revealed those numbers, and believes its share of those deals could exceed $1 million.

Jussie Smollett is out of the psych ward at Cook County Jail ... something his brother believes only happened because fans applied public pressure.

Jocqui Smollett thanked people Monday night on social media for their support in the "Free Jussie" movement. He says Jussie's removal from the psych ward is a big step forward ... and gets him out of a restrained bed and into a normal one.

He adds, "Cook County doesn't really move until they get bad publicity ... keep continuing to call Cook County Jail checking in on him and keep saying that you believe he should be free."

Jocqui says the pressure added on the county is what got Jussie moved, and he thinks continued force can make him a free man once again.

As we've reported, Jussie was put in the ward because the area houses high-profile inmates, according to law enforcement sources. Jocqui expressed concern immediately, saying official paperwork stated his brother was at risk of self-harm ... something he thinks is B.S.

Jussie even explained, repeatedly in court, that he is not a suicidal person. He was immediately taken to jail after his sentencing to start his 150 days.

Jussie was ordered to be placed under protective custody while serving his 5-month sentence -- something requested by Jussie's team. In addition to jail time, he also was given 30 months of felony probation, $120K in restitution, and $25K in fines.

Taraji P. Henson thinks there's a parallel between Jussie Smollett and Emmett Till -- and wouldn't you know it ... the late teen's own family agrees.

Emmett's cousin, Deborah Watts, the co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, tells us Taraji's heart is in the right place -- namely, that Black people and other POC are unfairly treated in the criminal justice system.

Taraji made the point while Jussie is serving jail time for a crime that wasn't violent ... nobody did any time (or was even found guilty) in Emmett's case all those years ago, suggesting race was at play in how Jussie was sentenced.

Watts doesn't quite make that leap -- not wanting to comment on the fairness of Jussie's conviction.

Big picture ... she absolutely agrees that BIPOC are disproportionately incarcerated compared to white people for the same sorts of offenses -- something she says is proven in data ... and something she thinks Taraji was trying to spotlight.

To that end ... Watts tells us she appreciates TPH's support and for getting Emmett's name back into the public, because his case was never officially solved.

Jussie Smollett's lawyers have wasted no time demanding his release from jail -- at least while his appeal plays out --- claiming he risks being harmed (physically and microbially) every second he stays behind bars.

The 'Empire' actor's legal team filed an emergency motion Monday asking a judge to spring Jussie from behind bars while his appeal is pending -- arguing that the potential cons of him staying locked up in Cook County far outweigh any benefits.

The crux of their case here is that Jussie's family has been on the receiving end of what they say is a barrage of harassing messages and phone calls aimed at Jussie ... which they say is emblematic of the harm that might actually befall him if he remains locked up.

To hammer this home ... Jussie's team offers up a video taken by the Smollett family which they say shows a stranger calling them with disgusting sentiments about what should happen to their brother as he serves his 5-month sentence.

They claim the clip -- which is laced with racist and homophobic slurs -- is just one example of what they say has been a deluge of hate sent their way -- and they fear that'll translate into real-world violence against their brother on the inside.

There are other reasons they say he should be out ... for one, they attach a sworn affidavit from a doctor who states Jussie is at a higher risk of catching COVID due to a compromised immune system ... while citing positive case rates in jails and prisons across the country.

On top of this ... Jussie's lawyers argue that because he's being held in protective custody -- which they say is akin to solitary confinement -- his mental health will deteriorate.

Big picture, they continue to reiterate all the points they made in court in trying to get the case tossed in the first place -- including the argument that he's already been punished for all this ... so the whole thing amounts to unconstitutional double jeopardy.

Jussie Smollett will almost certainly escape federal charges for allegedly faking another part of the elaborate hoax that just got him sentenced to 5 months behind bars ... the infamous hate letter.

Federal law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... barring any major future development in the fake hate mail case, the feds will NOT charge Jussie.

As we reported ... the studio received a threatening letter directed at the "Empire" star 8 days before the "attack," with scrapbook-style letters with the warning ... "You will die black f**," along with an image of a noose.

Some authorities believe Jussie sent the racist and homophobic letter to himself, hoping it would put him smack in the middle of the social justice movement.

The feds seem content with the sentence Jussie received after a jury convicted him on 5 felony counts for lying to cops about the incident. He was just sentenced to 150 days in jail with 30 months of felony probation.

Our sources say the feds feel it would be "piling on" to hit Jussie with more charges.

Jussie Smollett believes there's one overarching reason he was sent to jail, and it's not because of the hoax ... he says it's because he's Black.

Sources with direct knowledge and in constant touch with the "Empire" actor tell TMZ ... Jussie fully expected to get jail time. He told his defense team before sentencing he felt he would be treated more harshly than other defendants convicted of a non-violent crime ... all because of the color of his skin. He thinks it's more evidence of systemic racism in the judicial system.

Jussie told his team after sentencing he was dead-on when he predicted the outcome ... based on the animosity the judge showed toward him. He called it "unfortunate" and "sad."

As you know, the judge read Jussie the riot act, saying the hoax was rooted in a desire for more fame and more attention.

We reached out to the court for comment, and a rep for the Cook County Chief Judge's Office tells TMZ ...  "Judges can't comment on pending cases, and it's still pending."

As we reported ... Jussie will be held in protective custody -- as requested -- while serving his time behind bars, with security cameras and an officer with a body-worn camera monitoring his cell.

Our sources say Jussie spoke out in court about not being suicidal because he wanted to make it clear to the public that if something were to happen to him in jail, it was foul play ... and our sources referenced the Jeffrey Epstein outcome, and that was what was on Jussie's mind when he made the comment.

Deshaun Watson will NOT face criminal charges in Texas in relation to accusations of sexual misconduct made by 9 massage therapists ... a grand jury determined on Friday.

26-year-old Watson was accused of groping, touching himself and making inappropriate comments and requests by more than 20 women over the past few years.

Watson's case was presented in Harris County on Friday ... and the grand jury returned 9 no bills for each criminal complaint.

The Harris County DA's office released a statement ... saying, "After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson."

"Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed."

Worth noting -- prosecutors in Harris County are the only ones who presented a case in front of a grand jury ... but Watson also faced accusations in Georgia, California and Arizona. It's unclear whether the women in those states will pursue criminal charges.

Watson still has a long legal battle ahead of him ... as he's facing a mountain of lawsuits filed by his accusers.

Watson has adamantly denied any wrongdoing ... and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, claimed encounters were consensual.

The timing is crucial for Watson's football career ... as NFL free agency starts next week.

Watson's in the middle of a 4-year, $156 million deal ... but teams will be making moves and his criminal status will certainly make an impact on whether he finds a new home.

It doesn't mean Watson is out of the woods just yet -- the NFL released a statement saying it is still investigating.

Cain Velasquez will remain behind bars for the immediate future ... a judge just denied the UFC legend's request for bail.

In announcing her decision at a hearing in a Santa Clara County courtroom on Monday, judge Shelyna Brown said "the risk is too great" to release Velasquez from custody.

Cain -- who showed up to court in shackles and a black and orange jumpsuit -- is now expected to stay in a cell until at least his next court date, which is currently set for mid-April.

As we reported, Velasquez is facing 10 criminal charges -- including one count of felony attempted murder -- after authorities say he tried to kill Harry Goularte, who's been accused of molesting one of Cain's close relatives.

In court documents, officials say Cain rammed his truck into a car carrying Goularte and family members on Feb. 28, and then fired his gun into the vehicle. Officials say Goularte's stepdad was struck in the gunfire.

Velasquez has received support from many since his arrest -- with Ronda Rousey, Joe Rogan and UFC fighter Derek Brunson all publicly defending the MMA star.

In fact, several Cain supporters were seen outside of the courthouse on Monday, pleading with officials to release him from custody.

Bill Cosby's breathing a deep sigh of relief -- the U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to weigh in on the Pennsylvania ruling that set him free.

SCOTUS voted 4-3 Monday to leave in place the PA Supreme Court's decision from last summer ... which nullified Cosby's 2018 conviction for aggravated indecent assault of Andrea Constand.

Cosby was immediately released from the Pennsylvania prison where he'd been serving a 3 to 10-year sentence.

The PA Supreme Court ruled Cosby's right to due process had been violated, because prosecutors had ignored the deal the previous Montgomery County D.A. made to not prosecute Cosby if he sat for a deposition in Andrea's civil case.

Cosby's prosecutors asked the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on the decision to overturn, but the high court declined ... which means Cosby is free and clear in the criminal case.

He is still facing a lawsuit filed by Judy Huth for sexual battery.

DaBaby's legal woes are ebbing and flowing ... he's out of trouble in one matter involving a gun, but still in hot water over balls and pins.

The L.A. County D.A. has rejected the gun case against DaBaby that police have been working on since January 2021 -- when he was arrested in Bev Hills for allegedly having a weapon on him during a shopping spree.

You'll recall ... DB ended up in cuffs right there on Rodeo Drive, and was booked for carrying a loaded firearm.

In the end, the D.A. chose not to prosecute because of a lack of evidence -- which is apparent from the D.A.'s report recounting the incident.

The doc states DaBaby and co. were in a Gucci store, and a security guard says he saw DaBaby lift up his shirt. The security guard claimed he saw something in his waistband resembling a gun, prompting him to call the police.

The crew left, but weren't able to escape Rodeo Drive before a run-in with officers who searched the vehicle and did, indeed, find a gun under one of the seats. When nobody claimed ownership of the gun, cops took DB in based on what the security guard had told them. But apparently, that wasn't enough to file charges.

DaBaby's attorney, Drew Findling, tells TMZ ... "We've been 100% confident in Mr. Kirk's innocence since the day of this incident and are appreciative that the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has made a similar determination."

Great news for DaBaby, obviously -- but he's not out of the woods ... there's still a looming case over his bowling alley scuffle with DaniLeigh's brother, which was caught on video.

Our law enforcement sources say there's a much stronger chance that case could actually get some real consideration by the D.A.'s Office, considering the evidence already out there ... and we're told a felony assault with a deadly weapon charge is very much in play.

That said ... we're told the cops are somewhat skeptical on that one too due to D.A. George Gascon. It's no secret ... Gascon isn't interested in pursuing low-level crimes in and around L.A. ... something he campaigned on. In other words.

Cardi B's legal victory over a blogger who defamed her isn't stopping the woman from trashing Cardi ... so now, the rapper wants a judge to gag her forever.

Cardi filed docs Thursday night in federal court, demanding a permanent injunction against Tasha K, who Cardi defeated in a defamation trial back in January. The jury awarded Cardi about $4 million ... but in the docs she says that's done nothing to stop Tasha from spreading the very lies that landed her in court.

As we've reported, Tasha's falsely claimed Cardi committed adultery, has STIs and was a prostitute.

According to the docs, Tasha bragged back in August ... "Even if they did sue, bitch I ain't got but a dollar to my name bitch, what are you going to get? And there's always bankruptcy bitch." Tasha even said, "I'm going to pull a 50 Cent on that bitch" ... referring to Fiddy's bankruptcy filing back in 2015.

Cardi also accuses Tasha of fraudulently moving assets to make it more difficult to collect the millions -- a move she's allegedly boasted about on her YouTube vlog, saying "Let me tell you how this was a blessing though. Cause can't nobody else sue me, and even if they do, I ain't got no money. We've got estate lawyers, we've got every mother f***ing thing. I ain't got s*** in my name bitch."

In fact, Tasha even testified during the trial she wouldn't stop repeating defamatory lies unless the court forces her to do so.

Aaaand that's exactly what Cardi's asking for now -- an injunction to stop Tasha from saying any defamatory statements now, and in the future, and to force her to delete all past videos or posts containing those lies.

The man who shot and killed Jacqueline Avant -- wife of entertainment legend Clarence Avant -- will go to prison for murdering her and will, most likely, spend the rest of his life there.

Aariel Maynor pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering the 81-year-old philanthropist back in December ... according to L.A. County D.A. George Gascón. You'll recall, Maynor broke into the Avants' Beverly Hills home in the middle of the night, and opened fire with an "assault long barrel pistol" when he ran into Jacqueline. He also shot at, but missed, a security guard.

Jacqueline was taken to a hospital, but she died of her injuries

The D.A. says Maynor will be sentenced on March 30, and the judge can give him 170 years to life in prison. He will also be ineligible for parole.

Police captured Maynor about an hour after the Avant murder when he attempted to burglarize a Hollywood Hills home, and accidentally shot himself in the foot.

The brazen and brutal crime shook Hollywood to its core, as the Avants have been loved and respected in the entertainment biz for decades. They have deep ties to

Just hours after Cain Velasquez was hit with 10 criminal charges on Wednesday stemming from his alleged role in a Monday shooting ... he appeared in a courtroom in shackles.

Velasquez was flanked by an officer and wore a COVID mask ... and looked stern as he faced the judge.

According to sources close to the UFC legend, he was not granted bail at the hearing ... and instead will now be forced to remain in custody until his next court date next week.

As we reported, prosecutors hit Velasquez with one count of felony attempted murder and several other charges after they alleged he tried to a kill man who has been accused of molesting one of his close relatives.

In court docs, officials say Velasquez opened fire on the man and his family members as they were driving in San Jose on Monday afternoon.

Velasquez has yet to publicly issue any comment on the situation -- and he did not enter a plea at Wednesday's hearing.

Many of Velasquez's peers in the fighting world have thrown their support behind the UFC legend following his arrest, with Derek Brunson even making T-shirts to try to raise money for Cain's legal fees.

Cain Velasquez allegedly rammed his truck into the car of a man accused of molesting the UFC legend's family member, before allegedly firing multiple shots into the man's vehicle, striking the alleged molester's stepfather.

TMZ Sports has obtained court docs that spell out the allegations against 39-year-old Velasquez.

In the docs, officials say Velasquez followed a 43-year-old man named Harry Goularte -- who was recently charged with 1 felony count of a lewd and lascivious act for allegedly molesting Velasquez's "close relative" -- along with his mom and stepdad from their San Martin, CA home on Monday afternoon.

Velasquez, who was driving a black Ford F-250, then allegedly began shooting into the Chevy Silverado driven by Goularte's stepdad.

Authorities say Cain caught up to the car and rammed it, before eventually firing off more shots.

Cops were called, and Velasquez allegedly left the scene. Soon after, cops located Cain on the road, pulled him over and took him into custody without issue.

According to the docs, police found a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in Cain's truck. They also noted they found two 10-bullet magazines in the vehicle, noting that 8 total bullets were missing from the mags.

Cain has been hit with 10 charges, including 1st degree attempted murder, multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting an occupied motor vehicle, among others.

If he's ultimately convicted, Cain is facing decades in prison.

But, it's the circumstances surrounding the case that makes this situation unique.