Rick Ross’s lawyer asked a Miami judge to speed up his release because of who he is, and she told him ‘I have no idea who you are’

A Miami-Dade judge told rapper Rick Ross, “I have no idea who you are,” after his attorney cited his celebrity status while asking for an expedited release, according to WSVN. The exchange happened during Ross’ court appearance Thursday morning after his arrest in Miami Beach. A clip of the moment has since spread on social media, where the judge’s reply drew plenty of reactions.

Ross, 50, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was arrested on a felony charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor domestic violence battery charge. His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Attorneys for the rapper have denied the allegations and said he is “being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear.”

In the clip, the attorney says, “Mr. Roberts is a celebrity.” Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer responds, “So what does that mean?” The attorney then says, “I don’t know to whatever degree Your Honor can, but I’d ask that his release be expedited.” As Ross is in a red jumpsuit, the attorney adds, the request is “for purposes of his safety.”

The judge told Rick Ross he would be treated like everyone else

Judge Glazer first answered, “I don’t know,” before turning to Ross, who appeared remotely. “Hi Mr. Roberts. I have no idea who you are, except as somebody here in the court who’s going to be treated fairly, just like everybody here,” she said. The hearing then moved on to the plea entered by his attorney.

The clip spread quickly, as users shared the judge’s reply. One user wrote that Rick Ross was “finding out celebrity status doesn’t come with courtroom privileges,” and the post said Glazer “was NOT impressed.” Some users defended the rapper. However, the judge’s comment did not address the charges, which stem from an incident alleged to have happened Aug. 28.

Rapper 50 Cent, a longtime rival of Ross, reposted the clip on Instagram and mocked Ross in the caption, according to GhanaWeb. Ross is known for the song “Hustlin'” and rose to fame in 2006. He launched the careers of Meek Mill and Wale through Maybach Music Group and is credited with bringing Miami back into the rap spotlight.

Glazer has gone viral before. In an earlier bond court hearing in Miami, she recognized a burglary suspect as a former middle school classmate, a moment CBS News described as an emotional “class reunion.” The defendant was released from jail afterward, according to reports, and the hearing circulated widely online.

Questions about celebrity treatment in custody have come up before, including reports of Diddy’s alleged perks behind bars. Ross’ attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement that the rapper “respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course.”

According to the arrest report, a woman told police that Ross became enraged over an Instagram photo she was tagged in and slapped her in the face every time she denied wrongdoing. Ross said in an Instagram video, “I’m totally innocent of the fabricated allegations.” His attorneys said the ex did not file a police report until a month after the claimed incident.

Ross was released after posting bond, his attorneys confirmed, and an arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22. The woman in the arrest report is not named in booking records, though the allegations appear to align with public claims by Ross’ ex, Jazzma Kendrick. However, the allegations in the arrest report remain unproven in court.

Ross is due back in court for the arraignment on Oct. 22, and the proceedings could show how the case moves forward after the viral hearing and the attorneys’ arguments about the police report.