A judge's ruling on Monday said that Michael Jackson's physician can keep his California medical license, and on the 23rd of August, the preliminary hearings for the manslaughter charges against Dr. Conrad Murray will start.

Murray, who is facing charges on involuntary manslaughter for the death of Jackson in June 2009, betrayed no emotion when Judge Michael Pastor ruled that he is not authorized to suspend the doctor's license, as state officials asked.

The pop star's parents watched in the courtroom as Judge Pastor stated that because there was a ruling issued by a previous judge restricting Murray from using sedatives, any further restraint must come via an appeal to the initial ruling and not from a new decision made by him.

"I simply don't have the ability to revisit the actions of one of my colleagues," Pastor said.

Jackson died on June 25 last year due to drug overdose. Coroners have declared his death was a homicide caused by the surgical anesthetic propofol that Murray gave him as a sleep aid. Sedative lorazepam, painkillers and other drugs were also in his body.

The California Medical Board has protested to have Murray's license suspended and to prohibit him from practicing in the state. Deputy Attorney General Trina Saunders said that the alleged crime was serious and that the public must be protected from him.

Defense attorneys countered that a solid proof for the crime must be submitted to the court before Murray's license can be suspended. So far, no concrete evidence has been presented.

They also said that Murray is having financial problems and he needs his licenses to make money. The doctor mainly practices in Houston and Las Vegas, but his lawyers said that if one state revokes his license, others might follow too.

Judge Pastor suggested that the California officials could appeal his ruling should they wish to pursue the matter further.

In the meantime, the preliminary hearing is set on August 23. Evidence will be presented against Murray to ascertain whether he should stand trial.