Brown out of rehab, not trouble

Rihanna and Chris Brown attend the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, California, on February 7, 2009.Rihanna and Chris Brown attend the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, California, on February 7, 2009.
Attorney Donald Etra and singer Rihanna appear at a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on June 23, 2009. The hearing was to determine if Chris Brown would stand trial for allegedly attacking Rihanna during an argument in a rented Lamborghini sports car.Attorney Donald Etra and singer Rihanna appear at a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on June 23, 2009. The hearing was to determine if Chris Brown would stand trial for allegedly attacking Rihanna during an argument in a rented Lamborghini sports car.
Brown sits in Los Angeles Superior Court during a hearing in his felony assault case on June 22, 2009.Brown sits in Los Angeles Superior Court during a hearing in his felony assault case on June 22, 2009.
Brown leaves court after sentencing in his felony assault case on August 25, 2009.Brown leaves court after sentencing in his felony assault case on August 25, 2009.
Brown, center, and his attorney Mark Geragos, left, enter the courthouse for Brown's probation progress hearing in Los Angeles on January 28, 2011.Brown, center, and his attorney Mark Geragos, left, enter the courthouse for Brown's probation progress hearing in Los Angeles on January 28, 2011.
Brown, center, leaves criminal court in Los Angeles on November 1, 2012. Brown, center, leaves criminal court in Los Angeles on November 1, 2012.
Pro boxer Shane Mosley, left, and Brown pose at the 2013 BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 29. Pro boxer Shane Mosley, left, and Brown pose at the 2013 BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 29.
Brown appears in court in Los Angeles on June 10. Brown appeared for a probation review hearing related to the 2009 domestic violence case.Brown appears in court in Los Angeles on June 10. Brown appeared for a probation review hearing related to the 2009 domestic violence case.
Recording artists T.I., left, and Brown attend the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 30.Recording artists T.I., left, and Brown attend the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 30.
Brown greets fans in South Central Los Angeles on July 20.Brown greets fans in South Central Los Angeles on July 20.
Brown, left, appears in court with his attorney Mark Geragos for a probation violation hearing in Los Angeles on August 16.Brown, left, appears in court with his attorney Mark Geragos for a probation violation hearing in Los Angeles on August 16.
Brown performs in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Friday, October 25.Brown performs in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Friday, October 25.
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  • Brown entered rehabilitation a day after his release from jail
  • He needed rehab to "gain focus and insight" into his behavior, his rep says
  • Brown will continue rehab as an outpatient
  • The singer is due in court next week concerning his probation

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Chris Brown checked out of a rehab facility, but he will continue the program as an outpatient, his representative told CNN on Thursday.

The singer entered an in-patient rehabilitation center last month, a day after he was released from a Washington, D.C. jail following his arrest on an assault charge.

When Brown entered the rehab program on October 28, Perna said, "His goal is to gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior, enabling him to continue the pursuit of his life and his career from a healthier vantage point."

"Chris is continuing his rehab program as an outpatient and is also completing his community service in the Los Angeles area," rep Nicole Perna said Thursday. "He appreciates all of your encouragement and support."

Brown must complete 1,000 hours of community labor in Los Angeles as part of his punishment for beating former girlfriend Rihanna on the eve of the Grammys in February 2009.

The behavior that has landed Brown, 24, in legal trouble over the past several years has been anger management.

His arrest on a sidewalk near the White House on October 27 put Brown on a path toward a possible prison sentence because of his California probation. The U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia charged Brown and his bodyguard with simple assault for a brawl last month in which a 20-year-old Maryland man suffered a broken nose.

The Rihanna incident resulted in a felony domestic violence conviction that carried a lengthy probation period.

A judge found Brown in violation of that probation in August because of discrepancies in proving he fulfilled the court-ordered 1,400 hours of community labor. He imposed another 1,000 hours of work.

Brown is in a vulnerable position. The Los Angeles judge overseeing his felony probation could order him to complete as many as four years in prison for the beating of Rihanna if he is found in violation of probation.

Secret Service report could help Chris Brown's defense

Brown is due in a Los Angeles court on November 20 for a probation status hearing. Prosecutors are waiting on the probation officer's report due next week to decide whether they will seek to put him behind bars, a spokeswoman said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office appears in no mood to cut Brown any breaks, which suggests that prosecutors will ask for jail time for him because of the arrest in Washington.

The probation officer's job is to prepare a report for the Los Angeles judge. While the simple assault charge is a misdemeanor, it could trigger a probation revocation.

Going to rehab -- as his rep said "to gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior" -- could allow Brown lawyer Mark Geragos to argue that the entertainer is getting proper help for his core problem.

The statement from Brown's rep did not disclose where the singer is going for rehab or what might be a "healthier vantage point" for him.

Rihanna and Chris Brown's relationship through the years

CNN's Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.

CNN.com - Entertainment