Chris Brown had his probation revoked for traveling without approval and failing to complete required community service on schedule by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge earlier today (January 15), according to the Associated Press. Despite the ruling, Brown has been allowed to remain free for the time being. The singer was originally sentenced to five years of probation in 2009 after pleading guilty to felony assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna.
The singer’s probation terms prohibit him from leaving Los Angeles County as of a recent order from probation officials last month. Brown was in violation of the order when he travelled to San Jose on Sunday (January 11) for a performance that ended after five concertgoers were shot at the venue and later hospitalized. Brown’s defense attorney took the blame for the violation and told the judge “that his office incorrectly advised Brown that he didn’t need permission to travel for the show.”
A report filed by Brown’s probation officer outlines his recent progress but also mentions concern for the safety of his performances, citing another of the singer’s concerts last year that also featured unexpected gunshots.
“Though he has shown the ability to be compliant during long stretches of his probation grant, (Brown) continues a pattern of making choices that are counterproductive in his ability to be successful on probation,” the singer’s probation officer wrote. “There is also concern that when he performs or attends at (sic) some of his public events, people will get shot or seriously injured.”
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Separately, as a part of his original sentence, Brown was ordered to complete his mandated 1,000 hours of community service by the end of this month but has as many as 200 hours left according to the judge. Still, the judge noted Brown’s “steady progress” on that aspect of his probation.
The latest incident is Brown’s third probationary slip up since 2013. That year he was charged with a hit-and-run after an accident though the charge was later dismissed. Later in 2013 Brown was charged with misdemeanor assault after hitting a man in Washington, D.C. The same judge ordered Brown to attend a rehab center following the charge but he was expelled from the program last March.
Brown will face the judge again for a formal probation hearing on March 20.
Earlier this week, Chris Brown spoke up about the recent shooting at his performance in San Jose.
(January 15, 2015)
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UPDATE: Chris Brown’s probation has been lifted, according to a tweet the singer sent out today (March 20).
He was in court today for a formal probation hearing.
The singer’s tweets are as follows:
