Official: If Chris Brown Violated Probation, "It Won't Be Taken Lightly"

Singer could be in trouble for visiting a nightclub...get the latest

Chris Brown's decision to go out clubbing after court yesterday could cost him big-time.

The singer hit the nightspot Guys & Dolls just hours after receiving a probation order in court requiring the 20-year-old to "abstain from the use of all alcoholic beverages and stay out of places where they are the chief item of sale."

Los Angeles Probation Department spokeswoman Kari Webb tells E! News that if Chris Brown broke his probation by being at a "21-and-up" establishment, "it won’t be taken lightly."

"Anytime you break the law, you’re in violation," Webb told E! News when asked whether being underage in a bar would be a probation violation. "If you break the law, you’re in trouble."

So did Brown break the law?

John Carr of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control tells E! News that Guys & Dolls holds a Type 48 liquor license, which makes it a bar or nightclub and not a restaurant. This means that no one under 21 can legally be on the premises unless they have been hired as a performer.

Carr also says that even if an underage entertainer is working in a bar or nightclub, they are required by law to stay in an area where no alcohol is being served or consumed.

While Brown wasn't seen drinking anything but water, his table ordered 10 bottles of champagne.

Due to probationer rights law, the LAPD's Webb could not confirm that this incident is being looked into.

She also said it can take a few days or just a few hours for a probation violation to be reported to the courts.

The Los Angeles Court spokesperson, Allan Parachini, tells E! News there has been no probation violation filed with the court as of yet, though he says that is not to say one won't be filed. Parachini clarified that item 22 was checked in the probation report, but no such condition was mentioned in the sentencing order or minute order from Judge Schnegg.

Parachini says that because the judge didn't mention this, Brown may not be held accountable. But if Brown's probation officer decides to pursue this, he or she can.

"If the probation department does decide Brown has violated his probation, they are obligated to inform the court."

Parachini also says that the probation department would have to make the determination of whether Brown broke the law by entering a 21-and-up establishment and thereby violated his probation that way.

"If there is an allegation that he was there, they can pursue that and then it is their obligation to inform us," says Parachini.

—Additional reporting by Ashley Fultz