Rhymes just walked out of Manhattan Criminal Court, and was all smiles for the cameras, as all four of the charges -- two misdemeanor assault charges, a DUI, and a suspended license charge -- will be handled separately. TMZ is told that the D.A. had sought to try the four cases together for the sake of expediency, but Rhymes thought he'd get a better deal if the cases weren't done in tandem. The rapper rejected a plea deal last month that would've meant a year of jail time and a $1,500 fine.

Rhymes -- real name Trevor Smith -- has been arrested four times in the last 10 months. He's due back in court September 5, and trial dates will be set then, if necessary