TMZ reports:

Chris Brown met with his probation officer Friday, and he squarely acknowledged he has a BIG problem with his temper … TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ … Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, went to the L.A. County Dept. of Probation Friday afternoon and had an hour-long chit-chat with his new probation officer. It’s unclear to us why a new officer was assigned.

We’re told Brown did not talk about allegedly throwing a punch at a guy in D.C. last Sunday. He did talk a lot about his current stint at a Malibu rehab joint, and the treatment he’s receiving. We’re told that treatment includes a heavy dose of psychological counseling.

As TMZ first reported … Brown could be in the rehab facility for as long as 90 days.

As for whether the Probation Dept. is impressed … we’re told not so much. As one well-placed source put it, “They’re gunning for Chris.”

We’ve learned the Probation Dept. will submit a report to the judge in the Rihanna case next week. The judge could revoke Brown’s probation and if that happens he could get as much as 4 years in State prison.

Textbook play, although I don’t know if this will keep him from going to prison. From CNN:

Chris Brown is reaching into Lindsay Lohan’s playbook for avoiding jail: Go to rehab before your court date.

The singer’s arrest Sunday on an assault charge put him on a path toward a possible prison sentence, but he will be in a rehabilitation facility as his next court date approaches.

“Chris Brown has elected to enter a rehab facility,” said a statement Tuesday night from his representative. “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.”

There has been no indication that Brown, 24, has a substance abuse problem. The behavior that has landed him in legal trouble over the past several years has been anger management.

The Los Angeles County district attorney appears in no mood to cut Brown any breaks, which suggests that prosecutors will ask for jail time for him because of the arrest early Sunday in the shadow of the White House. While the simple assault charge in Washington is a misdemeanor, it could trigger a probation revocation.

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.

We’re late, because TMZ has since updated this post with a report of conflicting statements regarding the assault, all of which certainly had to have helped his case (the original report is below):

TMZ has just obtained witness statements, some of which conflict. Chris DENIES punching the victim. According to Chris’ statement, he claims he was on his tour bus when the victim tried getting on and his bodyguard “handled it.”

The victim says he was trying to get a pic with Chris and Brown allegedly said, “I ain’t down wit that gay s**t.” The victim told cops he responded by saying, “Why you hoing?” Chris then said, “I feel like boxing.” The victim says Chris then threw the punch and the victim says he then squared off with Chris and then the bodyguard also hit the victim in the face.

According to the victim, after the bodyguard punched him, Chris got BEHIND the bodyguard and screamed, “Yeah, walk away.”

The police say the victim was treated for a fractured nasal bone.

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From TMZ:

Chris Brown just got cut a big break … the assault charge has just been reduced from a FELONY to a MISDEMEANOR … and Chris pled not guilty. Chris has just been released without bail. He’s also required to stay 100 yards away from the victim.

Chris had been ordered to take a drug test, but the judge just vacated that order. It’s standard in such cases to order a drug test, but that has been cancelled.

The bodyguard’s charge was also reduced to a misdemeanor.

TMZ broke the story … Brown was arrested for felony assault early Sunday morning in Washington D.C. after allegedly attacking a man outside a hotel and breaking his nose.

Brown allegedly got into an argument with a man, said “I’m not down with that gay s**t, I’m into boxing,” and then punched him in the nose.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … the fight started when the man and his friend photobombed Chris, who was posing for a picture with two girls.

Sources close to Chris insist the fight wasn’t over a photo — they say the alleged victim tried to force his way onto Chris’ tour bus, and Chris was merely trying to stop a trespass.

Brown has been in custody since the incident.

Wow, this guy might just get lucky after all? From TMZ:

Chris Brown did not throw the first punch in the fight that landed him in jail — at least that’s what an initial draft of the police report stated, and even though it’s since been corrected … the mistake could work in Chris’ favor.

Sources connected with the case tell TMZ … the first version of the police report described Chris’ bodyguard as the person who threw the punch that broke the alleged victim’s nose — and further states Chris only jumped into the fight afterward.

TMZ has reviewed the initial version of the report and we also obtained a revised copy … which now states Chris landed the bone-crushing blow.

Chris’ attorney could make hay of the mixup, and the correction.

We’re also told police videotaped Chris, the bodyguard, the alleged victim, and other witnesses describing who hit whom during the melee. Law enforcement sources say they believe some of the people on tape may be shading the truth or outright lying, so the confusion may be a bonus for Chris.

UPDATE: There are now Tweets from reporters claiming that Chris Brown was yelling at a U.S. Marshall. Sheesh.

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Thanks to DDot Omen, we have a couple of scoops on what’s happened at the Court building in D.C.; first, you will see that Trey Songz is here (along with Chris Brown’s mother) to support. Below, a subtly hilarious sign courtesy of (I’m assuming) Pablo from D.C. radio station WPGC. For those that don’t know the latest ish that Breezy has gotten himself into can click here.

More updates to come…

@TreySongz yells at US Marshals @chrisbrown courtroom. Demands entry. @wusa9

— Bruce Leshan (@BruceLeshan) October 28, 2013

TMZ reports:

Chris Brown was arrested in Washington D.C. this morning for FELONY assault after allegedly attacking a man outside a hotel … TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … Brown got into an argument with a man outside the W Hotel on K Street and allegedly punched him once IN THE FACE. We’re told the man Chris struck never threw a punch. Sources say Chris and the alleged victim did NOT know each other.

The incident occurred at about 4:30 AM.

Chris was with his bodyguard, and we’re told he was also arrested.

Our law enforcement sources say Brown did not appear to be under the influence of anything at the time of the incident.

Brown is currently in custody. As for the other person, we’re told he’s being evaluated at a D.C. hospital. Sources say he’s claiming injury.