Brown's lawyer asks judge to block jail transfer

LOS ANGELES - Chris Brown's attorney has asked a Los Angeles judge to block an order that would transfer the jailed R&B singer to Washington, D.C., for his upcoming misdemeanor assault trial.

Brown is being held without bail and is due to go on trial on April 17 in Washington on the assault charge.

Last week, a judge in Washington authorized U.S. marshals to transport Brown from Los Angeles for the trial.

The Grammy-winning singer's lawyer Mark Geragos filed a motion Tuesday asking a judge to block that order and instead release Brown to his custody just before the trial date.

His motion states that Brown would lose the ability to confer with Geragos and prepare for the trial if he is transferred by marshals.

A hearing has been scheduled for Thursday on the motion.