A north Phoenix resident will have to wait at least another month to find whether he will go free or possibly pay fines or go to jail for removing signs.

Steven M. Hatfield, 56, who faces criminal damage and theft charges in connection with the removal of temporary signs for home developments, on Wednesday retained a lawyer who was a given a one-month extension to sort through the case.

City prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges against Hatfield after ALB Industries, a Tempe-based sign company, complained that Hatfield picked up its signs and threw them away, causing them to lose more $50,000 since 2007.

Hatfield, if found guilty, could face up to 120 days in jail, fines or probation.

Hatfield, who retired from IBM, said the home-sale signs were located in the public right-of-way, thus violating state and city laws.

Hatfield believes Arizona residents should enjoy a clean desert landscape and picks up trash on a volunteer basis.

ALB officials did not return calls for a comment Wednesday.

Reed W. King, Hatfield's attorney, said ALB alleges Hatfield picked up 13 of its signs located on private property on Nov. 8.

A meeting between city prosecutors, ALB Industries, King and Hatfield is scheduled for April 29.

King works with Citizens for Improved Sign Enforcement in north-central Phoenix.

Hatfield is "the poster child for what we strongly object to - that is illegal signs," King said.

The attorney said he created the neighborhood group five years ago when signs besieged the area and after elected officials told the group there wasn't much enforcement they could offer. King said if the group finds signs in a right-of-way it gets in touch with the businesses involved rather than contractors like ALB Industries who post signs.