(BANG) -Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson.

The doctor is due in court later today (08.02.10) to answer the charges, but is expected to plead not guilty to causing the death of the 50-year-old singer, whose passing last June was ruled a homicide by drug overdose last month, with the anaesthetic Propofol – administered by Murray - considered the primary factor.

According to the criminal complaint, Los Angeles' District Attorney alleges the star's personal physician "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson ... in the commission of an unlawful act, not a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection."

If convicted, Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison.

Murray is expected to be accompanied to court by a bail bondsman who will post bail, which is expected to be $25,000 and will not waive his right to a preliminary hearing.

Law enforcement officials previously revealed that prosecutors planned to charge the doctor with involuntary manslaughter, alleging he gave Michael the powerful anaesthetic to help him sleep but that instead led to his death.

(C) BANG Media International