Chris Brown Plea Deal: No Jail, Rihanna Spared from Testifying

Judge says she plans to issue "a stay-away" order barring Chris Brown from contact with victim. Rihanna doesn't want it, her lawyer says

Brown pleads guilty to assault. Sentence is to be six months of community labor, five years probation and domestic violence counseling.

Chris Brown and prosecutors have reached a plea deal, his lawyer tells judge

Rhianna is prepared to testify at Chris Brown's preliminary hearing today, which would mark the first time she publicly tells her side of what happened the night her boyfriend allegedly assaulted her, CNN reports.  The star may be questioned by Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos, about the couple's Grammy-night argument in a rented Lamborghini that, according to charges, turned violent. Though Geragos has said he wanted to avoid a public trial, plea-deal talks failed and a judge last week rejected his request to delay the hearing.

Emotions will likely run high as Rihanna relives the events of Feb. 8 when she was allegedly bruised and bloodied by Brown, who is required to attend the hearing and will be seated just feet away from the witness stand. Cameras won't be allowed in the courtroom.

"Prosecutors wouldn't bring her in to testify if they didn't think she was going to be a solid witness," says L.A. criminal defense attorney Steve Sitkoff, who's not involved with the case. "If Rihanna was going to change her story out of fear or to protect Brown, it generally would've happened by now."

Rihanna, whose attorney Donald Etra has insisted she will comply and tell the truth, will also be subject to cross-examination by Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos.

"I expect Geragos will go easy on her under cross-examination," says L.A. criminal defense attorney Jeffery Rubenstein, who's also not involved with the case. "No lawyer wants to be seen as victimizing a victim twice. But if he does play hardball, he'll do whatever he can to chip away at her credibility."