CHILD pornography charges against a former Labor MP may be downgraded or dropped, a court has heard.

The case against the MP, who cannot be identified, was called in the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday - and adjourned for the third time.

The man had been due to enter pleas to one count of possessing child pornography, one aggravated count of possessing child pornography and two counts of taking steps to access child pornography.

His arrest in April last year was the result of the Sexual Crime Investigation Branch's ongoing "Operation Decimate".

Prosecutor Michaela Ballard, however, asked for a further four-week delay.

She said that, after "extensive negotiations", prosecution and defence were "considerably closer toward a resolution in this jurisdiction".

If the case was finalised in the Magistrates Court, rather than the District Court, the MP might face lesser penalties or argue he should not receive a conviction.

Under state law, MPs convicted of any offence carrying a jail term of two or more years automatically loses their seat. A backbencher's base-rate salary is $140,000.

Magistrate Paul Foley was reluctant to grant another adjournment.

"The first 'answer charge' date was October 28 last year, when this matter was put off to December 9," he said.

"Then it was put off to today - why shouldn't I finalise this matter now?"

Ms Ballard said the case had "been moving forward" at all times.

"We're much closer to a resolution than we were last time," she said.

"The next time we're before the court we'll hopefully be in a position to finalise."

Michael Abbott, QC, for the MP, said he had been instructed not to oppose the adjournment.

"I appreciate the problems prosecution has had ... we have raised a number of evidentiary problems with the charges as filed," he said.

"As a result, they've needed to obtain further expert advice.

"My client's concern is that the media may report the events of today as my client somehow delaying the resolution of this case, which is not correct."

Mr Foley said the matter needed to be brought to a conclusion.

He set the matter down for "no case" submissions.

That is a hearing at which the strength of the prosecution evidence is tested to see if the case will continue.

He remanded the MP on continuing bail until March.