LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Will & Grace actor Shelley Morrison will fight the misdemeanor shoplifting charges against her, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Morrison, who plays wisecracking Rosario Salazar, the Salvadoran maid of socialite Karen Walker on the NBC comedy, is not guilty and plans to mount a "vigorous defence," lawyer Donald Etra said.

"She's led an impeccable life as a wonderful actress and humanitarian," Etra said.

The city lawyer filed misdemeanor charges Tuesday after the district attorney declined to file felony charges.

"We felt, based on the situation, based on her lack of prior record, it should go to the city attorney to determine whether they're going to file," district attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.

The 66-year-old actor is accused of taking $446.44 worth of jewelry from a Robinsons-May department store in West Los Angeles on April 23. Store security guards took her into custody and handed her over to police, who took her to jail. She was released after posting $20,000 bond, and an arraignment was scheduled for May 14.

Gibbons said felony cases usually involve property worth $1,000 or more.

Actor Winona Ryder was convicted last year of felony shoplifting for taking more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills.