Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X walked out of a Los Angeles courtroom Monday with a path forward. A judge ruled his felony assault charges could be dismissed. The condition: he must complete a two-year mental health program.
The musician, born Montero Lamar Hill, 26, appeared before Los Angeles Judge Alan Schneider. The court granted Hill entry into a mental health diversion program. If Hill complies fully, four felony charges will be wiped from the record.
Outside the courthouse, Hill kept his words brief but grateful. “I’m thankful. Just very thankful,” Hill told reporters. “It could have been much worse.”
A Night That Changed Everything
The charges stem from an incident in the predawn hours of Aug. 21, 2025. A bystander captured video of Hill walking in traffic along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. He was wearing only underwear and a pair of white cowboy boots. Police arrived around 5:40 a.m. Authorities allege Hill assaulted officers who attempted to take him into custody, injuring three of them.
Hill was subsequently charged with three counts of battery with injury on a police officer. He also faced one felony count of resisting an executive officer. He faced up to five years in state prison if convicted.
Following his release on a $75,000 bond, Hill addressed the public through social media. “Your girl is gonna be OK, y’all,” he said in an Instagram Story. “That was fucking terrifying. That was a terrifying last four days. But your girl is gonna be all right.”
His father, Robert Stafford, also spoke publicly after the arrest. “He’s very remorseful for what happened,” Stafford told reporters. “He’s going to get the help that he needs.”
Judge Cites Bipolar Diagnosis in Ruling
Judge Schneider weighed Hill’s mental health history carefully before ruling. The judge determined Hill’s behavior during the August incident was “aberrant from his normal conduct” and linked to a bipolar diagnosis.
“When treated, he is much better off, and society is much better off,” Judge Schneider said. He added that Hill “appears to be doing very well.”
Under the court order, Hill must remain in treatment for bipolar disorder for two years. He is also prohibited from possessing weapons or threatening any form of violence during that period. A final ruling on whether to formally dismiss the charges is expected in April 2028.
Hill’s attorney, Christy O’Connor, painted a picture of a client deeply committed to recovery. She told the court that Hill voluntarily checked himself into The Meadows treatment center in Arizona and completed nearly two months of inpatient care, which she described as “absolutely successful.”
Since leaving the facility, Hill has maintained a demanding wellness routine. His current regimen includes weekly sessions with a psychotherapist and psychiatric check-ins every three months. O’Connor described the August incident as “humiliating” for her client and said he remains dedicated to his ongoing care.