Chris Brown's Probation Lifted

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."
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.