As Michael Jackson pleaded innocent in his first hearing on child molestation charges, the judge planned to keep a tight rein on the singer and attorneys in the case.

But outside the courthouse, there was no containing the self-proclaimed King of Pop as he danced atop his SUV and invited a crush of fans to join him at his Neverland Ranch retreat.

Judge Rodney Melville immediately set a strict tone when he began the day’s proceedings by scolding Jackson for being late to court — and laid out rules he said he expected attorneys on both sides to follow. Jackson was about 20 minutes late after taking time to greet cheering fans.

“Mr. Jackson, you have started out on the wrong foot here,” the judge said. “I want to advise you that I will not put up with that. It’s an insult to the court.”

The judge followed with a series of decisions designed to tame the players in a case that has already become an international media circus. He said he would order a gag order for the attorneys, and would refuse to unseal most of the court documents related to the Nov. 18 search of Neverland.

Meanwhile, some 3,000 people — fans and news media from as far away as Japan and Norway — swarmed outside the courthouse in a scene more reminiscent of an awards show than a criminal proceeding.

There was no red carpet, but reporters and fans were held back by barricades on either side as he followed a long walkway in front of the courthouse. Jackson wore big sunglasses and a black ensemble highlighted by a white armband, a medallion and shoes that glittered.

His entourage included his father, Joe, mother, Katherine, brother Jermaine and sister Janet.

As he made his exit, the 45-year-old singer climbed atop the SUV that brought him to court, briefly abandoned the umbrella he carries to shield his face, and waved to the throng and danced.

As Jackson tried to leave town, fans surrounded his vehicle, reaching through windows as guards and police ran alongside, sometimes shoving people back to clear the path. Many of the fans had traveled from Southern California and Las Vegas in chartered buses and cars in a “Caravan of Love.”

“This was spontaneous love,” said attorney Benjamin Brafman, Jackson’s new co-counsel. “This was not planned. I’m in the proceeding and I’m stunned.”

Jackson was soon back at his Neverland Ranch, about 25 miles away, where fans flocked after receiving invitations distributed by supporters who appeared to be members of the Nation of Islam.

About 1,000 people, many of them families with little children, took him up on the invitation, forming a line of hundreds of cars on the two-lane country road outside. Rides were open to all, ice cream, popcorn and drinks were provided, and Jackson’s family gathered in the house for a luncheon.

Jackson was charged last month with seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an “intoxicating agent,” reportedly wine, between Feb. 7 and March 10, 2003.

Asked how he pleaded, Jackson softly but firmly uttered the words “not guilty.”

The judge scheduled a Feb. 13 session to set the date for a preliminary hearing, the proceeding used to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold Jackson for trial.

The gag order will be modeled on one issued in Stanislaus County for the high-profile murder trial of Scott Peterson , who is accused of killing his pregnant wife. Peterson is being defended by Mark Geragos, who is also Jackson’s attorney.

An attorney for news organizations argued against the gag order and said there was clear legal precedent for unsealing the affidavit and search warrant, but the judge rejected the arguments.

Credit: AP