Joe Budden Opens Up About Dismissed Lewdness Charge and Legal Battle Over Sleepwalking Incident
Joe Budden recently shared an update on his legal battle during the latest episode of the Joe Budden Podcast. The former rapper-turned-podcaster revealed how a lewdness charge was dismissed, following an incident that involved his sleepwalking behavior. In the podcast episode, which aired on January 10, Budden addressed the case that stemmed from months of tension with his “racist” neighbors who had repeatedly filed complaints about minor issues.
On December 4, footage surfaced showing Budden sleepwalking and attempting to enter a neighbor’s apartment while naked. The clip revealed him trying the door code before heading back to his unit. While Budden has previously spoken about his sleepwalking condition, this was the first legal consequence tied to it.
The Legal Drama and Accusations
Budden explained that his neighbors misused the legal system to falsely accuse him of inappropriate conduct. According to Budden, they reported him to the police, claiming he was outside their door masturbating with the potential intent to assault the family. He described the situation as an escalation of his sleepwalking condition into something far more serious than it was. “What seemed like a simple sleepwalking medical condition turned into something much bigger,” Budden stated.
The charges led to a civil suit against him, accusing him of stalking and indecent conduct. Budden argued that indecent conduct charges only apply if the person is unclothed with the intent to “sexually gratify” themselves. He pointed out that his neighbors lied in their statements, suggesting that he was engaging in inappropriate actions when he wasn’t.
Courtroom Humor and Defense
As the civil suit unfolded, Budden provided comic relief by recalling the opening day of the trial, where his “Karen” neighbor took the stand and quickly broke down in what he humorously referred to as “white girl tears.” During the trial, the primary issue was whether Budden was engaged in inappropriate behavior in the footage. When questioned about his physical state during the sleepwalking video, Budden’s lawyer asked the neighbor whether she thought he was fully erect. The neighbor’s response became a key point of contention.
To further clarify the situation, Budden involved his girlfriend, who confirmed that he was not fully erect during the incident. The admission created lighthearted moments in the courtroom, as Budden’s co-hosts laughed along. “Was he flaccid?” the judge asked, prompting his girlfriend to confirm, “Absolutely not!” Budden joked, “I’m a grower, not a show-er.”
Gratitude for Fairness in Court
Despite the bizarre nature of the trial, Budden expressed gratitude toward the judge for maintaining fairness throughout the proceedings. With the civil suit behind him, he is now able to laugh off the situation while emphasizing how the incident was a misrepresentation of his sleepwalking condition.
Budden’s ability to turn the courtroom drama into a source of humor highlights his resilience through what could have been a far more damaging case. The charges may be dismissed, but the conversation around sleepwalking and its potential legal consequences will likely linger.
