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Actress Amanda Bynes Released, Tweets Innocence, Pokes Fun At Herself

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Former child star Amanda Bynes faced a judge Friday following a bizarre incident at her midtown Manhattan apartment building.

The 27-year-old actress is charged with possession of marijuana, reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors had requested bail to be set at $1,000, but Judge Neil Ross released Bynes on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on July 9.

Amanda Bynes Appears In Court

Bynes was arrested Thursday night after police were called to her luxury West 47th Street apartment building. A building employee reported she was rolling, lighting and smoking a joint in the lobby.

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When officers got up to her 36th floor apartment, police said they saw heavy smoke and a marijuana bong sitting on the kitchen counter. Police said she then tossed the bong out the window in front of them, according to prosecutors.

Manhattan assistant district attorney Chikaelo Ibeabuchi said she then told police that "it was just a vase."

After the alleged incident, Bynes was handcuffed and hid under a tousled blond wig as she was led into a Manhattan detention center where she spent the night.

Amanda Bynes
Police escort Amanda Bynes after her arrest on May 23, 2013. (credit: CBS 2)

Bynes was still wearing the long, disheveled wig when she appeared in court on Friday.

The actress spoke to photographers outside the courthouse and said she didn't want any pictures taken or any media in the court room.

"I don't want any photos. No press are allowed in here,'' she announced in court.

Bynes' lawyer Andrew Friedman said his client denies the allegations.

"My client completely denies illegally throwing anything out of her window,'' Friedman said at the arraignment.

Bynes backed up that claim with a tweet Friday night, saying: "I only smoke tobacco I don't drink or do drugs. I've never had a bong in my life! I need to get another nose job after seeing my mugshot! :D"

Ibeabuchi said no bong was recovered. Bynes' attorney said that was a sign that his client was telling the truth.

"There was nothing recovered from the sidewalk, clearly a search was made for the bag,'' said Friedman, who is filing a counter complaint against the NYPD for illegally following the actress into her apartment, CBS 2's Amy Dardashtian reported.

Actress Amanda Bynes Released After Manhattan Court Appearance

Before being released, Ross gave Bynes a stern warning not to miss future court dates.

"I do want to make sure you understand," he said. "If you fail to come to court or even if you come to court late, I'm going to be setting very, very significant bail."

The troubled actress rose to fame a decade ago as a major star on Nickelodeon. She has also starred in several films, including 2010's "Easy A."

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Bynes has recently garnered national attention for posting odd videos and racy pictures on Twitter.

Amanda Bynes
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol - and side swiping a police car - in Los Angeles. Bynes took her booking photo April 6, 2012. (photo credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office via Getty Images)

She has other criminal charges pending against her, in addition to the charges she now faces. She is due in court next week for an arrest from April 2012 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Bynes is also on three years probation for driving with a suspended license.

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