Michael Jackson today pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges in his first court appearance since being arrested late last year.
Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville scolded Jackson for arriving 21 minutes late to his arraignment at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
"Mr Jackson, you have started out on the wrong foot here. ... I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It's an insult to the court," the judge said.
A pre-trial hearing was set by February 13th, according to reports.
Hundreds of fans from around the world sang songs and chanted support as self-proclaimed "King of Pop" Jackson arrived this afternoon at the Californian court.
Today's arraignment is the first step in a case that could see his remarkable career in ruins and send him to prison for years if convicted.
Jackson arrived at the court shortly after 8:40 a.m. (4:40 p.m. Irish time). He arrived in a black sports utility vehicle and was escorted under a black umbrella to the courthouse.
En route he shook hands with fans and flashed the peace sign.
Buses dubbed "Caravans of Love" brought hundreds of fans to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in the central California town of Santa Maria to show support during what was expected to be a brief court session that has taken on a circus-like atmosphere.
Fans sported banners and sang gospel songs and Jackson hits. Some sold T-shirts reading "Michael is 1000 percent innocent," quoting Jackson's brother Jermaine, who spoke out for him this week.
Yesterday, his lawyer Mr Mark Geragos said Jackson had asked New York-based criminal lawyer Mr Ben Brafman to join his legal team at the arraignment.
"Michael and I agreed that expanding the team would best serve his interests as we work toward his acquittal on the false charges that have been leveled against him," Mr Geragos said in a statement.
Mr Brafman is best-known for having won an acquittal on weapons and bribery charges for rap mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
Mr Geragos, Jackson civil attorney Mr Steve Cochran and a partner were also expected to attend court in Santa Maria, not far from the 45-year-old entertainer's Neverland Valley Ranch.
The reclusive pop star is charged with seven counts of committing lewd acts on a boy under the age of 14 and two counts of plying him with alcohol in order to molest him.
He is expected to face a preliminary hearing on the charges later this year that could lead to a trial.
Jackson, who could face nearly two decades in prison if he is convicted at a trial, survived a similar brush with the law 10 years ago after making a multimillion-dollar out-of-court settlement with the family of a teenage boy.