Robert Downey Jr. free after pleading not guilty in drug case
Robert Downey Jr. faces more than four years in state prison if he is convicted of two felony drug charges and one misdemeanor
December 27, 2000
Web posted at: 10:41 p.m. EST (0341 GMT)
INDIO, California -- Actor Robert Downey Jr. pleaded not guilty Wednesday to drug charges stemming from his November 25 arrest at a luxury hotel in Palm Springs, California.
Downey, 35, is charged with possession of cocaine, felony possession of the prescription depressant diazepam, also known as Valium, and a misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled substance. If convicted on all three counts, he faces a maximum sentence of four years and eight months in state prison.
Downey's attorney asked for a continuance to delay entering his plea, but that request was denied.
The court granted a defense request ruling that Downey does not have to appear in court for all court proceedings.
Downey will have to attend a hearing on January 29.
The actor, who has a history of drug-related legal problems, was released from prison in August after serving time for a probation violation.
He immediately went to work as a guest star on the Fox television series, "Ally McBeal." He's been nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on the show. Previously, Downey earned an Oscar nomination as best actor for his 1992 role in "Chaplin."
The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.
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