Chris Brown Jail Time 2014: Sentence For ‘Loyal’ Singer Could Last 4 Years If Guilty, Violates Probation From Ex Girlfriend Rihanna Felony Assault Charge

Chris Brown could be facing a lot of jail time in 2014 if he's found guilty for a misdemeanor assault. If the "Loyal" singer is charged, this will violate his probation ordered after Chris Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 for a felony assault of ex girlfriend Rihanna. He could face up to four years in jail.

"He should have a legitimate concern that his probation could be revoked in his Los Angeles case," said Jonathan Franklin, a prominent Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, the Washington Times reports. "A person does not have to be found guilty of the new charge in order to trigger a probation violation hearing.

Chris Brown's misdemeanor assault trial begins Thursday at D.C. Superior Court. If found guilty, he could face up to four years in a California prison - a criminal charge in any jurisdiction could violate his probation, which was ordered by a Los Angeles judge five years ago when the singer struck Rihanna after a party just before the Grammy Awards, the Washington Times reports. She suffered injuries to her face and was hospitalized.

"The court now has the legal authority to sentence Brown up to four years in state prison," Franklin said. "If the court determines that he violated the terms of his probation, a specific sentence that may have been part of his plea deal could now be imposed."

D.C. Metropolitan Police arrested Brown in 2013 after he and his bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, became involved in an altercation with two men who tried to take a photograph with the singer in front of the W Hotel, according to the Washington Times.

"Certainly, being in trouble with the law is stressful to anyone, celebrity or not," Franklin said. "Unfortunately for Chris Brown, it's becoming part of his persona. In the world of reality television, everyone tunes in to watch the courtroom drama unfold, just like they did with the O.J. Simpson case.

"The public has always been fascinated with the legal troubles of celebrities. The cult of celebrity is a very strong current in Hollywood. The public may perceive that Mr. Brown's celebrity gives him an advantage that the average person does not have, but in reality, this is not usually the case," he said. "Mr. Brown's celebrity status can put pressure on the prosecutors and the court as they try to enforce justice blindly without regard to celebrity status. All of this occurs as the world watches and judges every move."

Meanwhile, Rihanna performed "The Monster" live for the first time with Eminem at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards on Sunday night, The Daily Mail reports. They'll kick off their mini-tour this summer, which will take Rihanna and Eminem to Los Angeles, New Jersey and Detroit.