Chris Brown, who has been sitting in a Los Angeles jail cell, was picked up by the U.S. Marshals Service on Thursday as they begin their trip to Washington, D.C.

Brown is on his way to the U.S. capital for a hearing related to misdemeanor assault charges, reports Reuters. The rapper's lawyer had asked that he instead be released ahead of the trip, but the judge denied the move.

L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Brandlin wouldn't release Brown saying that he can still see his legal team during the trip, even though it could cause "some inconvenience." In the judge written ruling, he noted that Brown has seen his legal team, including lawyer Mark Geragos, "on an almost daily basis" for the trip.

The misdemeanor assault charges stem from claims that the singer and his bodyguard roughed up someone who only wanted a picture in October, according to KABC. The trial for the case is set to start on April 17.

Brown has been in L.A. County jail since March after he was tossed out his anger management rehab for violating internal rules. Because Brown was kicked out, it violated his probation that required him to attend treatment or face jail time.