JEFFERSON CITY -- A Cole County judge is expected to decide by Friday morning whether a law regulating the adult entertainment industry will go into effect in Missouri on Saturday.

A coalition of owners of strip clubs and adult bookstores have filed a lawsuit against the bill that would reduce their hours, ban alcohol, ban full nudity and place other restrictions on the adult businesses. Today, lawyers for that coalition argued for a temporary restraining order stopping the law from taking effect.

"This is an industry that is tied to the tracks and is facing a runaway freight train," said attorney Raymond Vasvari, asking the law to be placed on hold while the court determines the merits of the constitutional challenges raised against it.

Ron Holliger, chief counsel for Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, said the law met all state and federal constitutional questions and should take effect.

Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem took the case under advisement and said he would likely rule by tomorrow morning. Under Missouri law, most new laws take effect the next day, on Aug. 28.

The plaintiffs in the case, which include Mike Ocello of Mehlville, argue that the law violates the state constitution because the Legislature's fiscal note is inaccurate. Also, the lawsuit says the bill violates the First Amendment protections of free speech.

Two state lawmakers, Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, and Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, attended the court hearing today. Emery was a sponsor of the bill. Colona opposed it.