STOCKTON — A former Tracy plastic surgeon pleaded not guilty this afternoon to charges of alleged sexual abuse of his patients, as attorneys try to figure out when they can go to trial.

Peter Chi, 46, entered the Stockton courtroom at about 1:30 p.m., with his wife holding his hand. Chi’s attorney, Paul Meltzer, told San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Charlotte Orcutt that his client pleaded not guilty to 67 felony counts.

Of those charges, 50 are of sexual battery by fraud, 16 are of sexual penetration by foreign object while unconscious and there is one count of lewd act upon a child, a then-15-year-old girl. Chi’s oldest alleged victim was 63.

Attorneys agreed to come back on Dec. 21 to determine when a trial could start. Orcutt ruled that Chi could be absent for that hearing. Meltzer told Orcutt that he and defense attorney Joel Carash are still going over evidence, something Meltzer said he has discussed with District Attorney Michael Rasmussen.

“We’ve circled it and we know what we’re missing,” Rasmussen said, noting that the defense needs “numerous” CDs to examine.

After conferring with Meltzer, Rasmussen told Orcutt a trial would likely take eight to 10 weeks. Orcutt looked at her schedule and told the attorneys that she would probably not be able to fit in a trial of that duration until July, since she has other trials slated for early 2010 and would have to order jurors well in advance.

Chi, who used to practice at Beauty Renewed, 1770 N. Tracy Blvd., only spoke to say “yes,” when Orcutt asked if he agreed to give attorneys extra time until the next hearing. Earlier this year, Judge Roger Ross ordered Chi to surrender his medical license and passport, which he has done. He is out of custody after posting bail.

Orcutt also addressed requests by attorneys in a civil case against Chi, by clarifying tenets of Marsy’s Law, which protects victims’ rights in a criminal case.

She said the district attorney would recognize victims who want to be a part of the civil case and that victims who have taken the proper steps could speak at select hearings such as a sentencing, but not at hearings where dates are being set.

Contact Tracy Press reporter Justin Lafferty at 830-4269 or jlafferty@tracypress.com.