Moments before embattled rap artist Meek Mill stepped out of a Philadelphia courtroom free of any parole or probation for the first time in more than a decade, the judge overseeing his case offered words of caution.

“You know right from wrong. You know up from down. You know what to do. Don’t be persuaded by anyone but yourself,” Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker said. “Don’t deviate from the path you’re walking.”