FORT LAUDERDALE - Chad Johnson was arrested 5/20/13 for violation of his probation. (Source: CBS4) FORT LAUDERDALE - Chad Johnson was arrested 5/20/13 for violation of his probation. (Source: CBS4)

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) – Former Miami Dolphin wide receiver Chad Johnson is a free man.

On Monday, Johnson apologized to Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh for disrespecting her courtroom.

“Again, I just wanted to apologize for disrespecting your courtroom last time. I had no intent to disrespect you or the people in the courtroom. I apologize. I think my time locked up gave me enough time to reflect on some of the sins I made in this courtroom,” said Johnson.

Judge McHugh ruled Johnson could be released from jail and would not have to finish the 30 day sentence she gave him last week after he slapped his attorney on the backside in court during a hearing.

Johnson walked out of the Broward County jail just before 5 p.m. Monday.

Johnson was in court because of a probation violation stemming from a domestic altercation he had with his then-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada. Johnson was cut by the Miami Dolphins after that altercation.

Johnson’s attorney Adam Swickle said the rear-end slap was not disrespectful but was a football player’s way of saying thanks.

“We’re obviously very pleased at what the judge did. I think she considered all of the terms and conditions of his probation, all of the circumstances that led up to this entire incident and did the right thing and gave him an opportunity to prove himself to the court,” said Swickle.

The probation violation hearing has now been set for October 16th. In the mean time, Johnson will still have to go to anger management therapy for two hours a week and has to perform 25 hours of community service.

Johnson played most of his 11 NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and a year with the New England Patriots.

Over the weekend, TMZ.com reported that Johnson is losing $45,000 a month.

Johnson is no longer making the money he did at the peak of his NFL career. To off set costs, he’s been fighting to lower his child support payments.

The Miami native claimed to have only made $3,000 in April, according to TMZ, but that quickly disappeared after he paid a whopping $16,525 in child support.

That’s not all.

Johnson pays $9,063.24 in monthly mortgage payments, spends $2,500 on food, $2,650 on car expenses, buys at least $3,500 worth of clothes, $250 for his personal grooming, $5,000 on his entertainment needs and $1,000 on his pets along with various other expenses that total up to $31,154.76, according to TMZ. All together, he is in the hole at $45,982.76 a month.

Johnson still owns two houses, two cars and a few bank accounts that put his assets at $4,720,672.57.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)