Hockey legend Guy Lafleur was back in court Thursday morning, as his lawyers argued that a warrant issued for his arrest was illegal and that a criminal charge against him should be thrown out.

Lafleur, 57, stands accused of misleading the court, a charge related to testimony about his son Mark, 23.

Mark Lafleur pleaded guilty to most of the charges against him, including uttering death threats, forcible confinement and assault. The plea came in June after two sexual assault charges against him were dropped.

The charges stemmed from a relationship Lafleur had with a 14-year-old girl, who is now 19.

Police issued a warrant for Guy Lafleur's arrest last January, after the Crown accused the former hockey great of making contradictory statements in court appearances about his son's activities while out on bail.

After Mark Lafleur was awarded bail, the elder Lafleur said he would ensure that his son respected a court-ordered curfew. But subsequent testimony in court revealed Lafleur in fact drove his son to a hotel so he could spend private time with his girlfriend.

Lafleur's defence team said Thursday that the police and the Crown acted in "an arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable way" by issuing a warrant for his arrest. They argued that an arrest warrant was extreme since Lafleur is not a flight risk and is unlikely to re-offend.

The defence also accused the police and the Crown of "gross negligence and malicious intent."

The Crown denied the defence's claims, and told the court authorities actually took great pains to treat Lafleur with dignity and protect his privacy, in light of his high profile.

"This was an arrest that was done lawfully, that was appropriate with full courtesy, and that was done in full respect of Mr. Lafleur's constitutional rights," said Crown prosecutor Lori Weitzman.

Weitzman also said misleading the court is a serious crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The judge has not rendered a decision on whether to drop the charges against Lafleur.

Lafleur has filed a $3.5 million civil suit against the police and the Crown.

Mark Lafleur will return to court for sentencing in February, following a psychiatric evaluation.