SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- With a quiet nod to the judge, Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of child molestation and conspiracy involving child abduction and extortion.

The grand jury indictment, read in court just before the plea, alleged lewd acts and attempted lewd acts involving a child, as well as administering an intoxicating agent -- said to be wine -- to a child. The acts allegedly happened between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2003.

The indictment includes a conspiracy count alleging child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not individual charges. Instead, prosecutors cite them as the circumstances leading to the conspiracy count.

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The appearance by the King of Pop was far less circuslike than his last, when scores of fans crowded Jackson's entrance to the courthouse. Although scores of fans showed for Friday's arraignment, they were kept at a considerable distance, and Jackson entered the building with ease.

During his last appearance, the judge scolded Jackson for arriving late. On Friday, Jackson and his legal team showed up 40 minutes early.

After his arraignment, Jackson and his legal team held an impromptu news conference on the courthouse steps as his fans cheered. Jackson did not address the charges against him.

Instead, the pop star thanked his fans "in every corner of the world" for their support. He singled out backers in his home, Santa Maria.

"I will always love this community from the bottom of my heart," Jackson said. "That's why I moved here."

Thomas Mesereau Jr., who replaced high-profile attorneys Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman as Jackson's lawyers earlier this week, also spoke.

"This case is not about lawyers or anyone else becoming celebrities," Mesereau said. "This case is going to be conducted with dignity at all times."

Mesereau said the case will be about what he called the "innocence and complete vindication of a wonderful human being named Michael Jackson." Mesereau, who escorted Jackson until the pop star got into his sport utility vehicle and departed, said he will show Jackson's "integrity" and "decency."

At his last court appearance, Jackson stood atop an SUV and waved to fans -- even performing a little dance -- before his departure.

Fans Crowd Behind Fence

Fans who crowded behind a chain-link fence cheered as Jackson stepped out of an SUV -- wearing a dark suit, red tie and eyeglasses -- before his arraignment. There was a red band on his right arm.

Inside the chain-link perimeter, a maze of metal street barriers guided Jackson's SUV as close to the building as possible.

As he was led in by his bodyguards under a black umbrella, Jackson smiled broadly and briefly waved to fans.

After he entered the courthouse, Jackson put his hand over a TV camera that was positioned inside. A man who was apparently a member of his security detail also covered the camera with his hand. There are no cameras in the courtroom itself.

His fans mobilized to support him in Santa Maria.

One Jackson fan was playing his songs on a keyboard. Other fans came from Los Angeles aboard buses. Some of the people were talking to reporters, but others were staying silent -- blaming the media for Jackson's problems.

About 75 fans boarded a bus in Los Angeles on Friday morning bound for Santa Maria. They waved signs reading "Caravan for Justice" and chanted "What time is it? Jackson time!" as they gathered in the pre-dawn darkness.

One fan told KABC-TV that she's setting an example for her grandsons.

"There is a way to protest, a way to show your love and a way to show your support," she said.

One Jackson fan said the charges against the pop star are a "joke."

Paul Sakajian came from Las Vegas to join dozens of other fans outside the California courthouse.

Sakajian said the police presence is huge, but that the extra officers are needed to "keep Michael safe." He also said the charges are a "lie" and that the case will be "taken care of."

Outside the courthouse, some fans waved handmade signs in front of the throng of television cameras. One banner reads, "Michael -- being here is the least we could do."

Thursday night, dozens of people gathered at Jackson's Neverland ranch for a candlelight vigil.