Los Angeles, Calif.-Chris Brown is back in court today for a preliminary hearing, and his testimony will help the judge decide whether his case has substantial evidence to continue trial.

But rather than making the court decide if has to go to trial, Brown and his counsel struck a deal with the prosecution panel.

Brown has to undergo 180 days of labor program, i.e. community service in his home state, Virginia, in addition to his 5-year probation sentence.

The R&B star was assested four months ago for allegedly assaulting and threatening his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, a few hours before the 2009 Grammy Awards. He was charged with two counts of felony, to which he both plead not guilty.

Had Chris Brown were tried and convicted, he could be facing four years and eight months behind bars.

Reporters from all sorts of news media have signed up to cover the much-awaited hearing, and fans are all speculating if Rihanna will testify against Brown.

The songstress meanwhile was not present during the preliminary hearing.