"You talk to the prosecutor yet?" he asked instead.

"Yes, I did. We had quite a conversation. Your bad luck is continuing in that the deputy DA assigned the case is a woman who I have had some dealings with before. She is a ballbuster and the arresting officers have informed her of the, uh, situation as they saw it at the pier."

"So she's going to go balls to the wall against me."

"Right. However, this judge is okay. We're all right there. He's the only one in the building, I think, who wasn't a prosecutor before being elected."

"Well, huffay for me. Did you get the money?"

"Yes, that happened just as you said. So we're set. One question, do you want to enter a plea today or continue it?"

"What does it matter?"

"Not a great deal. In arguing for bail it might just move the judge an inch or so our way if, you know, psychologically he knows you've already. denied the charges and are readying for a fight."

"Okay, not guilty. Just get me out of here."

Santa Monica municipal judge Harold Nyberg called the t name Harold Brisbane and Gladden went back to the slot. i i Krasner came back around the tables and stood by the slot so he could confer, if needed, with his client. Krasner announced himself as did deputy district attorney Tamara Feinstock. After Krasner waived a lengthy readin 'of the 9 charges, he told the judge that his client pleaded not guilty.

Judge Nyberg hesitated a moment. It was apparent that en tt ring a plea so early in a case was unusual.

"Are you sure that Mr. Brisbane wishes to enter a plea today?"

"Yes, Your Honor. He wants to move quickly because he is absolutely one hundred percent not guilty of these allegations."

"I see. . ." The judge hesitated while he read something in front of him. So far, he had not even looked over in Gladden's direction. "Well, then I take it you do not wish to waive your ten days."

"A moment, Your Honor," Krasner said, then he turned to Gladden and whispered. "You have a right to a preliminary hearing on the charges within ten court days. You can waive and he'll schedule a hearing to then set the prelim. If you don't waive, he'll set the prelim now. Ten days from now. If you don't waive, it's another sign that you're going to fight, that you aren't looking for a handout from the DA.

It might help on the bail."

"Don't waive."

Krasner turned back to the judge.

"Thank you, Your Honor. We don't waive. My client does not believe these charges will survive a preliminary hearing and, therefore, urges the court to schedule it as soon as possible so he can put this-"

"Mr. Krasner, Ms. Feinstock may not object to your added comments, but I do. This is an arraignment court.

You're not arguing your case here."

"Yes, Your Honor."