Arguments are scheduled to begin at 12:40 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the appeal of U.S. Sen. Larry Craig's disorderly conduct conviction.

The case will be heard before a three-judge panel in room 200 of the Minnesota Judicial Center. Hearing the case will be Court of Appeals Judges Thomas Kalitowski, Natalie Hudson and Louise Bjorkman.

The judges generally take cases under advisement and issue written rulings within weeks.

Craig is asking to withdraw his guilty plea in the case stemming from his arrest last summer in a men's room at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Hennepin County District Judge Charles Porter already has rejected Craig's request to withdraw the plea.

Craig, a Republican senator from Idaho, was arrested in June as part of a sweep targeting solicitation in a men's bathroom at the airport. Sgt. Dave Karsnia said he arrested Craig after the senator peered into his stall, entered the stall next to him and then tapped his feet and swiped his hand under the divider, allegedly as a way to signal a desire for sex.

Craig pleaded guilty by mail last August. After the arrest became public, Craig said that his actions were misinterpreted and that he is not gay. He then attempted to withdraw his plea.

Prosecutor Christopher Renz has said repeatedly that Craig's plea was entered voluntarily.

The defense wants the Court of Appeals to correct a "manifest injustice" by overturning the plea.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747