Chris Brown Allowed to Be Near Rihanna, Judge Rules

A Los Angeles County judge lifted the terms of the protective order against Chris Brown on Tuesday (Feb. 21), allowing him to be closer to his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. The Virginia native's restraining order was reduced to a Level One order, granting him the right to have contact with the Bajan beauty so long as he does not "harass, annoy or molest her."

Brown, his lawyer Mark Geragos, and Rihanna's attorney Donald Etra, all appeared at the hearing Tuesday afternoon. "I would not have considered this unless and until Mr. Brown had completed the 52-week domestic violence program, and he did," Judge Patricia Schnegg noted during the hearing.

While in court, Etra informed the judge that Rihanna -- born Robyn Fenty -- was comfortable with the change in the order. "I have spoken with my client and she does not object to the reduction," he said.

This latest ruling comes almost two years to the day since Brown was arrested for brutally attacking Rihanna, following an argument after a pre-Grammy party. The couple reconciled not long after the incident but have since gone their separate ways.

The 'Run It,' singer was facing up to five years in prison but struck a plea deal with prosecutors barring him from doing any jail time. He received five years of probation and was ordered to complete both domestic violence counseling and community labor. In a previous hearing, Schnegg praised the 21-year-old for his dedication to completing the terms of his probation.

Since the incident, the former couple has attempted to put the altercation behind them, moving on both professionally and personally. Brown is prepping the release of his fourth album 'F.A.M.E.,' and is said to be in a relationship with model Karrueche "Kae" Tran. Rihanna, who released her fifth album, 'Loud,' last November, dated baseball player Matt Kemp before calling it quits in December.

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