Chris Brown appears in court

Chris Brown has been charged with assault and making criminal threats in relation to his alleged assault of Rihanna.

The 19-year-old singer appeared before a Los Angeles Superior Commissioner but did not enter a plea after the felonies were announced yesterday.

Chris - who wore a three-piece grey suit to the hearing - had his arraignment delayed until April 6 and was made the subject of a protective order.

The commissioner said: "Mr. Brown, you are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone."

Chris signed a document saying he understood his lawyer Mark Geragos would appear on his behalf at the next hearing.

If convicted, the singer faces a maximum of four years in prison.

Chris has been accused of beating Rihanna and choking her in his rented Lamborghini on February 8.

The 'Umbrella' singer - who is believed to have rekindled her romance with Chris - did not attend the hearing, but her lawyer Donald Etra was present.

Donald did not ask for a tougher order which would have seen Chris banned from contacting Rihanna.

Asked how the 21-year-old singer was coping as he left the court, Donald replied: "She's doing great. She is making sure her rights are being protected at every stage of the proceedings. She did not feel a stay-away order was necessary."