Judge Refuses to Dismiss Charges Against Actress

A Superior Court judge Wednesday refused to dismiss 12 misdemeanor contempt charges against actress Kim Basinger, who is accused of failing to heed court orders in her custody fight with her former husband, actor Alec Baldwin.

Basinger pleaded not guilty last week. She faces up to 60 days in jail and a $12,000 fine if convicted of all counts.

Baldwin, 48, and Basinger, 52, separated in 2000 after seven years of marriage. They agreed last year to joint custody of their 10-year-old daughter, Ireland, who lives with Basinger.

Baldwin is permitted extra visits when Basinger is away from home without her daughter. But his court papers allege that in 2005, Basinger ignored court orders and did not let Baldwin know that she would be out of town working so that he could take care of Ireland.