A Placer County Superior Court judge also ordered him to stay at least 100 yards away from his wife and children until further notice.

Artest's attorney, William Portanova, entered pleas of not guilty to charges of battery and corporal injury to a spouse, false imprisonment and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime.

Heather Ireland holds up a silver platter with a drawing of a Great Dane, in protest of Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest outside the Placer County Superior Court in Auburn, Calif., Thursday, March 22, 2007. Ireland and several others where demonstrating against what they claim was special treatment given to Artest who was not charged with a crime in February for not feeding his dog. Last month, county animal-control officers seized his Great Dane, Socks, because it wasn't being fed. The dog has since been released to the custody of one of Artest's lawyers. Artest appeared in court Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a domestic dispute with his wife earlier this month. [AP]

Artest sat in the audience section of the small courtroom among other defendants and members of the media. He spoke only when asked direct questions by Judge Francis Kearney, responding no when asked if he owned firearms and yes when asked if he understood the conditions of the restraining order.

Thomas Leupp, an attorney for Kimsha Artest, told the judge Artest's wife was not requesting a restraining order. Artest will be allowed to communicate with his family by telephone, e-mail and letter, the judge said.

"We all decided that was the right thing to do for the family," Portanova said. "That is the right thing for now."

Artest is due back in court April 5.

He was arrested March 5 at his estate in Loomis, 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. He is accused of grabbing, pushing and slapping his wife during an argument. The couple's 3-year-old daughter was home at the time.

Artest has since apologized to his family and his teammates, and sat out two games.

He did not answer reporters' questions after Thursday's hearing and then left for Arizona to join the team for tonight's game against the Phoenix Suns.

Artest's only interaction with others in the courtroom came when a fellow defendant turned to Artest and said "good luck" as the hearing began.

John Carpenter, who lives in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville and was in court facing his own domestic violence charges, then gestured to Artest, holding out his fist. Artest responded with a fist pump.

Outside the courtroom, Artest, Portanova and a body guard left in a black Yukon SUV as seven protesters held signs and chanted the player should face even more charges -- for the alleged neglect of his dog.

Last month, county animal control officers seized Artest's Great Dane, Socks, because it wasn't being fed. The dog has since been released to the custody of one of his lawyers.

"He really shouldn't have animals," said Heather Ireland, a spokeswoman for the group.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Quick told the judge the county is still considering animal abuse charges.