DOWNEY'S HEARING ON DRUG CHARGES DELAYED

Court: Actor Makes A Brief Appearance Before Judge Who Urges Attorneys To
Resolve Case

A highly anticipated court hearing for actor Robert Downey Jr. was
postponed Monday--but not before he appeared briefly in an Indio courtroom.

Downey, fresh off a surge of popularity and a Golden Globe award for his
new role in the television series "Ally McBeal," was arrested in late
November at Merv Griffin's Resort Hotel and Givenchy Spa in Palm Springs
after an anonymous call to police.

Investigators found a pill bottle in Downey's room, and he was charged with
two felony counts of possession of cocaine and the tranquilizer diazepam,
and one misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled
substance.

Downey has pleaded not guilty to drug charges, but attorneys and court
officials suggested Monday that they will weigh a plea bargain before
Downey's next scheduled court appearance Feb. 21.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge B.J. Bjork urged defense attorneys
and prosecutors to resolve the case.

This is not the actor's first brush with drugs--nor the law. He was
arrested on suspicion of drug possession, driving under the influence and
carrying a concealed handgun in 1996, and later pleaded no contest to those
charges. He was placed on probation and served time in jail and in rehab
programs.