Kobe Bryant will be back in a Colorado courtroom Thursday for his first hearing before the judge that will preside over his sexual assault trial.

During his initial appearance in state district court, the Los Angeles Lakers' guard is expected to be formally advised of the charge against him, his rights and the penalty he faces if convicted.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, Devean George, left, and Gary Payton, right, walk onto the court for the second half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 4, 2003, in Milwaukee. Not a single protester or heckler was around Monda as the Lakers left for their shootaround, continuing a relatively quiet weeklong road trip that marked Bryant's first long foray into some of the 27 cities where he will ply his craft in front of thousands of fans acutely aware of the drama surrounding him.Bryant was loudly booed in Milwaukee and San Antonio before getting a less-severe treatment in New Orleans and Memphis. [AP]

Judge Terry Ruckriegle also could adjust Bryant's $25,000 bond and set dates for upcoming hearings, including an arraignment. Bryant could enter a plea, though that isn't expected.

Both sides typically discuss plea arrangements in advance with the judge, but those conversations haven't occurred, prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said Wednesday. After a plea, a trial must be scheduled within six months.

Attorney Dan Recht, past president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, said Bryant's attorneys probably will ask for an arraignment later this year to delay the start of the trial.

"My guess is the defense wants the trial to start after the basketball season," Recht said.

Bryant, 25, is accused of raping a 19-year-old woman June 30 at a mountain resort near Edwards where she worked and he was a guest. Bryant says the two had consensual sex.

If convicted, Bryant would face four years to life in prison and 20 years to life on probation.

This week's brief hearing will occur between Lakers home games Wednesday and Friday. Bryant's attorneys had sought to allow him to skip his Aug. 6 appearance in Eagle County Court, but they made no such request for Thursday's hearing.

During his preliminary hearing last month, a sheriff's investigator testified the woman's blood was found on Bryant's T-shirt. Defense attorneys suggested the woman was promiscuous.

Attorneys for media organizations including The Associated Press are appealing a judge's decisions to close portions of that hearing involving testimony about Bryant's statements to police.

In filings made public Wednesday, media attorneys argued Judge Frederick Gannett wrongly concluded Bryant's fair-trial rights would be threatened by leaving the preliminary hearing and records open to the public. The attorneys also asked to be allowed to present oral arguments on unsealing the records from the preliminary hearing.

Many other court records and investigative files remain sealed.

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