Chris Brown Probation Revoked; Singer Released Pending Hearing >>Hollywood

A Los Angeles judge revoked Chris Brown's probation Monday, but the star was not remanded into custody as some speculated he would be.

The R&B singer, 24, appeared downcast in court yesterday, sitting with his arms across his chest and his head down on the counsel table.

Superior Court Judge James Brandlin, having reviewed the details of Brown's hit-and-run case, said that "In this matter, probation is revoked."

However, Deputy District Attorney Mary Murray did not ask for Brown to be jailed, and the judge allowed him to remain free on his own recognizance.

The singer has been on felony probation in the 2009 beating of former girlfriend Rihanna, and his probation terms require him to obey all laws.

This comes into play fairly often when you're Chris Brown, and his scary encounter with a woman he hit with his car in May was the latest example.

Prosecutors had moved to revoke Chris Brown's probation after he was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a valid license.

Brown has not entered a plea in the case, and may never have to, as the alleged victim says she has no desire to see Chris prosecuted over it.

The star has been in and out of court since the Rihanna assault, making reports on fulfilling the requirements of his probation a common occurrence.

In February, the Sheriff's Department investigated his fight with Frank Ocean at a recording studio, but Ocean decided not to pursue a battery case.

The same month, Brown crashed his Porsche while being chased by paparazzi. Last year, his crew got into an epic bar brawl with Drake's in New York.

Probation for felony assault comes in lieu of jail time. If a judge thinks he's disregarding the law - even if he isn't convicted - probation can be yanked.

He is due back in court August 16.