A$AP Rocky Faces Civil Lawsuit Following Criminal Acquittal

Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers is set to return to court as his former friend, Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron, moves forward with a civil lawsuit for assault and battery.

Despite Rocky’s recent criminal acquittal, Relli’s legal team argues that there is still enough evidence to proceed with the civil case. Rolling Stone reports that the trial is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026.

Attorney Mellisa Mikail, representing Relli, emphasized that civil cases require a lower burden of proof than criminal trials.

“The standard in a criminal case is much higher than the preponderance of the evidence standard in a civil matter,” Mikail stated. “We still believe our claims have merit, and we intend on fully litigating them.”

Rocky’s Defense Team Calls Case Baseless

Meanwhile, Rocky’s legal team maintains that the criminal acquittal proves the lack of credible evidence. They argue that a new jury will likely dismiss the claims as meritless.

“Mr. Ephron testified in the criminal case, and the jury’s acquittal speaks volumes about how they valued that testimonial evidence,” Rocky’s attorney, James Sargent, told the judge.

Sargent also advised Relli to reconsider his lawsuit, stating:

“We look forward to full vindication. The plaintiff can take a sober assessment of the criminal case outcome and change course.”

Background of the Case

The civil lawsuit stems from a 2021 incident in which Relli accused Rocky of firing a semiautomatic pistol in his direction, causing a minor injury, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Rocky refused to settle the lawsuit after being found not guilty in the criminal trial, choosing instead to fight it in court.

As the father of Rihanna’s children, Rocky is hoping that the civil trial will be the final chapter in this lengthy legal battle.