Grammy-nominated rapper Ja Rule surrendered to Toronto police yesterday to face assault charges following an incident at a nightclub last month.

Ja Rule, nee Jeffrey Atkins, made a court appearance, but did not enter a plea on a charge of assault causing bodily harm. He was released on $7,575 bail and is scheduled to return to Provincial Court August 30 for a trial date to be set.

Police said earlier the charges stem from an incident at Toronto’s La Rouge Nightclub on June 5. The rapper, 28, was on location for a film project in Toronto when the incident occurred.

Rule’s bail conditions offer specific directions that he is not to consume alcohol while in Canada, contact the alleged victim and witnesses or be in the downtown entertainment district unless it's for work.

The case has been subjected to a court-ordered publication ban on the evidence, which Rule’s lawyer, Steven Skurka, says is a standard procedure to prevent having the trial heard 'before a man ever walks into a courtroom.'

'(It's) to protect an accused person from having information released,” he said. “There's already been false information released about these allegations.”

Amid his legal troubles, Canada TV reports that the New Jersey-native had support from unlikely sources.

'When Atkins made his way into the courtroom this morning, prisoners in the back holding cell could be heard cheering,' said CTV reporter Tom Hayes, adding that the court was packed with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the rapper. While he refused to comment for the media gathered on the steps of the courthouse, Rule did stop to sign autographs for fans.

Ja Rule is no stranger to the courtroom, having also been charged in a Manhattan court this month with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license. He pled guilty to the driving violation but the possession charge was dropped.

Best known for his gravely delivery style, the performer has claimed Top 10 chart success for his last four consecutive albums. Yet, he has softened his hardcore image recently with a series of duets alongside divas Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige and Ashanti. Rule's also appeared in several movies including The Fast and the Furious, Scary Movie 3, and Half Past Dead.