ACTOR ROBERT DOWNEY JR. PLEADS INNOCENT TO DRUG CHARGES

Robert Downey Jr. pleaded innocent Wednesday to new drug charges stemming
from his Thanksgiving weekend arrest at a desert resort.

Downey, 35, who was arrested only four months after being released from
prison in another drug case, entered innocent pleas to felony possession of
cocaine and felony possession of the tranquilizer diazepam, each punishable
by up to three years in state prison.

The actor, nominated last week for a Golden Globe for his recurring role on
the TV show "Ally McBeal," also pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge of
being under the influence of a controlled substance, which carries a
maximum one-year jail sentence.

He also pleaded innocent to a one-year prison enhancement for his prior
drug conviction. An additional year would be added if he's convicted on the
other charges.

The Oscar-nominated star of "Chaplin" eluded a media throng outside the
courthouse 130 miles east of Los Angeles by entering through a side door
about 8 a.m. He left the same way without talking to reporters.

"He's upbeat. He's confident. He's spent some good times with his son over
the holidays," one of his attorneys, Robert Waters, said afterward.

During the brief arraignment before Superior Court Judge B.J. Bjork, Downey
let his lawyer, Daniel Brookman, do the talking.

The lawyer entered the pleas on the actor's behalf.

There was no drama like a previous appearance in Malibu when he described
his drug problems: "It's like I've got a shotgun in my mouth, with my
finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of the gun metal," Downey told
a judge in 1999.

On Wednesday, Downey was asked at one point if he understood his
constitutional rights and the actor stood and replied, "Yes, your honor."

Brookman then said "not guilty" to the charges.

Brookman argued unsuccessfully before entering the pleas that he needed
more time to examine evidence made available Dec. 22, evidence that
included audio tapes. The lawyer also said he hasn't reviewed laboratory
results.

Noting charges were filed Dec. 11, Riverside County Deputy District
Attorney Patricia Kelly said prosecutors weren't required to produce
evidence until 30 days before trial and postponement of arraignment wasn't
warranted.

"There is no valid reason behind it," she said.

The judge agreed.

"There isn't good legal cause for a continuance," the judge said, adding,
"The motion for a continuation of the arraignment is denied."

Another hearing was scheduled for Jan. 29.

Downey signed a waiver that allows pretrial hearings to proceed without his
presence. Downey must appear Jan. 29, however.

The actor was arrested Nov. 25 after an anonymous 911 call led police
investigators to a room at Merv Griffin's Resort Hotel and Givenchy Spa in
Palm Springs. The police allegedly found Downey with cocaine and
methamphetamine. Lab tests later determined it wasn't methamphetamine but
was either cocaine or diazepam, the prosecutor said Wednesday. She would
not elaborate.

After Downey's arrest, his publicist assessed his client's situation.

"He's a recovering addict. Recovering addicts have relapses. He's working
hard at his sobriety as he has for the last 18 months," spokesman Alan
Nierob said.

Downey has finished his work on the current season of "Ally McBeal."