Judge revokes Chris Brown probation in Rihanna assault case

LOS ANGELES — A judge has revoked Chris Brown's probation but allowed him to remain free for now after the R&B singer traveled without approval for a concert and failed to complete community service on time.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin allowed Brown to remain free until a March 20 hearing when the judge will receive an update from probation officials.

Brown was ordered by probation officials in December not to leave Los Angeles County without permission. The Grammy-winning singer performed in San Jose recently without obtaining permission to travel.

Attorney Mark Geragos told Brandlin that his office incorrectly advised Brown he didn't need permission.

Brown has been on probation for his 2009 attack on pop singer Rihanna, then his girlfriend.

Brown was supposed to complete 1,000 hours of community labor by the end of January, but he still has roughly 200 hours to complete. The judge said Brown had been making steady progress on that. Brown is required to perform manual work such as roadside cleanup or graffiti removal.