The trial of suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore took about four hours today before the Court of the Judiciary in Montgomery.

But at the end, Michael Joiner, the chief judge of the COJ, said they would issue a ruling as soon as possible on whether to acquit Moore on the charges, toss him off the bench, censure him, or suspend him without. The court has 10 days in which to rule.

The trial pits Moore and his anti-gay marriage stance versus the rule of law.

Did a Jan. 6 administrative order by Moore encourage Alabama probate judges to ignore or defy federal and U.S. Supreme Court orders declaring same-sex marriage legal?

Or was Moore simply giving a status update or advice to those judges regarding orders by the Alabama Supreme Court banning same-sex marriage licensing prior to U.S. Supreme Court's ruling making it legal nationwide?

"I think it's going to be quite an event," said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). "I know Roy Moore supporters will be there in full force and I think that those who oppose him will be there in full force."

"It's going to be a drama that pits the popular will against principle," Cohen said.

If the Court of the Judiciary orders Moore removed from the bench it wouldn't be the first time.

Moore was removed as chief justice in 2003 after refusing to follow a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state Supreme Court building. This time, four years into a new term, Moore is defending his actions and stances against gay marriage.

AL.com will provide live updates throughout the day:

3:47 p.m. Latest from AP:

The chief judge on an Alabama disciplinary panel says they'll decide "as soon as possible" whether to remove Chief Justice Roy Moore from office.

The nine-member Court of the Judiciary has concluded its hearing on allegations that Moore intentionally misused his office to try to block gay couples from marrying in Alabama.

Chief Judge Michael Joiner said he did not anticipate a decision would come Wednesday.

The charges involve an administrative order Moore sent six months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gays can marry in every U.S. state. Moore told probate judges that because the Alabama Supreme Court had not rescinded the state's gay marriage ban, they still remained bound by it.

Moore's lawyer, Mat Staver, told the court that Moore's order was merely a "status report" that "did not order them to disobey anything."

Moore was removed from office in 2003 for disobeying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building.

Attorney John Carroll, representing the judicial commission seeking Moore's removal, said "we are here 13 years later because the Chief Justice learned nothing from that first removal. He continues to defy law."

Scene outside Ala Sup Court as Roy Moore trial lets out. Both sides have been here all day. pic.twitter.com/VqBhPlcilx — Tim Lockette (@TLockette_Star) September 28, 2016

Just guessing, but I'd say Roy is sure to be sanctioned. Still skeptical that all 9 will agree to ouster, but it could happen. #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

2:22 p.m. The closing arguments are done but no decision will be announced today. A verdict will be reached within 10 days and post it online

Carroll says the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If we don;t remove him this time it will happen again. #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Carroll: The chief justice simply refuses to accept that the federal law takes precedence. #RoyMoore — Morgan Carlson (@morgankc) September 28, 2016

Carroll: "Of we were dealing with competing opinions, we would not be here." It's "constitutional chicken." #RoyMoore — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Carroll: "The chief justice learned nothing from that removal." Says there is no remorse. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Carroll to close it down on the JIC's final cross. He brings up Moore's 2003 removal, to Staver's objection. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

2:08 p.m. Staver rests his case after asking for charges to be dismissed.

Staver: “They have not shown a single shred of evidence of bad faith” or “bad motive.” #RoyMoore — Morgan Carlson (@morgankc) September 28, 2016

@MatStaver: Jan. order "maintained status quo." Did not order judges to defy higher court. #RoyMoore — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Staver: "You don't have a defiant chief justice before you." #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Staver shocked that JIC wants to use news stories (& Moore's words in them) to remove him from office. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Staver: Probate judges were confused when federal courts saying one thing, state courts another. "What's a probate judge to do?" #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Staver says Jan 6, 2016 order wasn't an order but "more like a status report" on the ALSC #RoyMoore #alpolitics — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

Staver saying essentially this is a dispute over law & not facts, & JIC has no business meddling in disputes over law. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Staver says JIC made several technical errors. Did not get a complaint, did not give letter of investigation, did not give six week update. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Staver says process against Moore, keeping him off the bench six months, goes against innocent until proven guilty ideal. #alpolitics — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Mat Staver, Moore's lawyer, says question is whether Moore's letter to probate judges did or didn't issue an order. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

I'd say it's 50-50 if we make it through without the room being cleared because people can't stay quiet. — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

Defense in Roy Moore case is now giving closing arguments. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

1:03 p.m. The hearing has resumed.

Overheard in Roy Moore viewing room: "To be honest with you I'm not a football fan. I'm a Jesus fan." #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Hearing people talk about traveling from IL and MO and others who traveled by bus to support #roymoore today. — Morgan Carlson (@morgankc) September 28, 2016

The scene outside the Alabama Judicial Building as everyone comes back from lunch. #RoyMoore #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/al3IxO7XjK — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

12:25 p.m. The Los Angeles Times describes the scene outside the court this morning.

Outside the courthouse Wednesday morning, protesters wielded placards saying "Standing with Chief Justice Roy Moore," "Homosexuality is a sin" and "It's not okay to be gay."

"They're trying to remove a man who we the people elected twice," said Alabama's Republican state auditor, Jim Zeigler, to loud cries of "amen."

"Most officials, when they take their oath of office, swear on the Christian bible," said Connie Norris, a writer from Birmingham who had driven from Montgomery to show her support for Moore. "That's a very serious thing," she added as she walked across the marbled floor of the rotunda where the Ten Commandments plaque was removed more than a decade ago. "A Christian must be a Christian first."

12:21 p.m. Here's the latest from AP:

Closing arguments are continuing in a disciplinary hearing that could result in Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore's second removal from office, this time over gay marriage.

Attorney Ashby Pate with the Judicial Inquiry Commission urged Alabama's Court of the Judiciary to remove Moore from office, saying "he urged defiance, not compliance, for defying a decision already settled by the U.S. Supreme Court."

The charges involve an order Moore sent to the state's 68 probate judges months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples could marry in all U.S. states, and despite a federal judge's order enjoining Alabama's judges from enforcing the state's ban.

Pate said Wednesday that gay marriage was settled law by then, so Moore's memo asserting that the Alabama Supreme Court's ban remained in effect trampled on the standards of judicial ethics.

Moore was re-elected after being removed from the bench 13 years ago for defying federal court orders to remove a Ten Commandments statue.

11:23 a.m. An attorney for Moore says their closing arguments will take nearly an hour. The hearing is breaking for lunch. Expected to resume at 1 p.m.

State Trooper stops live feed in overflow room. Says if audience can't keep comments to themselves he'll clear the room. #RoyMoore — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

11:15 a.m. AP coverage of Moore's testimony:

"Moore said he was merely providing a status update to Alabama's 68 probate judges. His administrative order explained that because the Alabama Supreme Court had not rescinded its earlier order to refuse licenses to same-sex couples, it remained in effect months after the high court ruling.

"I don't encourage anyone to defy a federal court or state court order," Moore said. "I gave them a status in the case, a status of the facts that these orders exist. That is all I did."

Against the rules of the room, Moore supporters starting to name call and speak up during JIC closing arguments #RoyMoore

Against the rules of the room, Moore supporters starting to name call and speak up during JIC closing arguments #RoyMoore — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

11:11 a.m. John Archibald reports the attorney for JIC reads negative things Moore said about gay marriage ruling, leading Moore supporters to cheer in court.

Pate says Moore did not believe he had to follow the law. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

11:05 a.m. Here is an opinion piece on the case from Paul Hard, an Alabama man who fought for insurance benefits after the death of his husband.

Most clever sign outside the trial of Ala Chief Justice Roy Moore this morning. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/SDDtMXtBm7 — Julie Bennett (@bennettphoto) September 28, 2016

Pate: Courts, Ala. AG Luther Strange and probate judges acknowledged Obergefell case made same-sex marriage law of land. Moore wouldn't stop — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Pate says when SCOTUS rule ssm bans unconstitutional it was "game over" #RoyMoore #alpolitics — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

JIC: Immediately following SCOTUS rule in #Obergrfell, #RoyMoore sends letter to @GovernorBentley "to stand with you against tyranny." — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

10:52 a.m. Attorney for JIC says Moore used every tool at his disposal to defy U.S. Supreme Court.

John Carroll: #RoyMoore told judges they were under a mandate to follow AL Protection of Marriage Act. — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

10:33 a.m. Testimony resumes.

Conversations during break should be SNL skit. Now a guy is defending man who assaulted principal because school teaches "it's ok to be gay" — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

10:12 a.m. Court is taking a brief recess.

#RoyMoore: "JIC can't read administrative order." Calls charges "ridiculous." — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Moore said it "is riduculous" to say he told probate judges to defy court. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Moore says "I would never tell them (probate judges) what to do" #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Moore says he was not urging his peers to rule in his favor (as the JIC has claimed). He says he simply wanted them to rule. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Says judges were supposed to act, even on controversial issues, but his peers left probate judges hanging. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Moore: I issued a memo to the AL Supreme Court in September 2015 urging them to vote on case #RoyMoore #alpolitics — Morgan Carlson (@morgankc) September 28, 2016

#RoyMoore: Moore says order has nothing to do with his personal [Christian] beliefs. — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Moore: "I never defied Judge Grenades order." Says he has supported federal courts. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

"This was a matter that was clearly in law, had nothing to do with what I felt about same-sex marriage or anything like that," -Moore — Jim Little (@JimWLittle) September 28, 2016

9:16 a.m. Moore is being sworn in.

9:15 a.m. From John Archibald: Moore's attorney's ask for charges to be dropped. Request denied.

.@MatStaver, Moore's attorney asking JIC to present full charges to Moore before he takes stand. #RoyMoore — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Moore may or may not testify, we are told. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

9:08 a.m. There will be no opening statements, according to multiple reports. Hearing will go straight into testimony.

We are underway in the Roy Moore trial. #alpolitics #RoyMoore — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Both parties have been seated in the court room. Trial of #RoyMoore beginning shortly. — Esther Ciammachilli (@EstherCinDC) September 28, 2016

Roy Moore gets a standing ovation as he walks in the courtroom from a majority of the courtroom — Alabama Politics (@AlabamaPolitics) September 28, 2016

It's a packed house for Chief Justice Roy Moore's hearing. pic.twitter.com/CiVq5GFUVe — Hannah Lane (@HannahLHawk) September 28, 2016

Roy Moore on trial, impeachment proceeds on guv, & ex-Speaker looks at appeals. You can't throw a rock in this town without hitting shame. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Roy Moore is expected to testify today in his judicial ethics trial. Follow @JohnArchibald and @krfaulk. — Kyle Whitmire (@WarOnDumb) September 28, 2016

8:35 a.m. Roy Moore is expected to testify, according to sources. Moore and fellow state supreme court justice Tom Parker have arrived at court.

Moore could be removed from office, exonerated or sanctioned today. A lot of people say the former. My money is on sanctioned. — John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) September 28, 2016

Judicial Inquiry Commission lead prosecutor John Carroll, left, arrives for the trial of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. pic.twitter.com/s12gtmTPpD — Julie Bennett (@bennettphoto) September 28, 2016

8:11 a.m. The Guardian wonders if Moore's stance against same-sex marriage is a "rebellious bid for governor."

"Moore has picked a political fight that may not make sense to people elsewhere. But in Alabama, his intentions are clear: by carrying his fight against the federal government to the brink of judicial destruction, he is appealing to the rebellious nature of Alabamians and positioning himself to run for governor.

"The stakes are high for him. He will turn 70 in February, which means he will not be allowed to run for a supreme court spot during the next election, in 2018. And as the sitting chief justice, he has no power to change the trajectory of gay marriage, the issue that brought him to this point. So the worst punishment the Alabama court of judiciary - a court for judges - could inflict on him would be to allow him to serve out his term, fading into obscurity as neither martyr nor decision-maker.

"That's the irony," said Wayne Flynt, a historian at Auburn University. "He needs them to remove him."

8 a.m. The latest from AP: "Demonstrators rallied in the early morning light in downtown Montgomery both in support and opposition of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore....

"Rainbow flags dotted the street outside the Alabama judicial building ahead of the 9 a.m. hearing. Madison Clark said love won when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled and Moore should accept that.

"Moore's supporters blared Christian music through a loudspeaker on the steps of the judicial building. Some demonstrators in support of Moore said they thought Moore had been falsely accused, and others said they were against homosexuality.

"Donna Holman, who drove 12 hours from Iowa, to support Moore said "homosexuality is wrong."

Portrait of the AL Supreme Court. We'll see today whether or not Roy Moore stays in it or not. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/v2F0fDwiOO — Chip Brownlee (@chpbrownlee) September 28, 2016

I'd say so. Ran well behind the GOP ticket in 2012 & has almost no support from other elected officials. — Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) September 28, 2016

7:31 a.m. About 100 people are gathered for the prayer vigil.

Sanctity of Marriage Alabama's Tom Ford and State Auditor, Jim Zeigler holding vigil before #RoyMoore trial @aldotcom pic.twitter.com/AHSYEICdNc — Kent Faulk (@krfaulk) September 28, 2016

Alan Hoyle speaks to those gathered before the ethics trial of Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore @MGMAdvertiser #roymoore pic.twitter.com/5L9BIG4MWW — Mickey Welsh  (@mickeywelsh) September 28, 2016

7:12 a.m. Kim Chandler of The Associated Press notes: "The accusations against Moore come during a season of political upheaval in Alabama. The state's house speaker was removed from office this summer for ethics violations and a committee is investigating if there are grounds to impeach Gov. Robert Bentley after he was accused of having an affair with a top staffer."

Van parked outside Alabama judicial building. pic.twitter.com/nvpm4TOtkV — Kim Chandler (@StatehouseKim) September 28, 2016

Rainbow flags being put up across street from judicial building. pic.twitter.com/bXRK1S89Pp — Kim Chandler (@StatehouseKim) September 28, 2016

7 a.m. A prayer gathering in support of Moore is planned for 7 a.m. outside of the state supreme court.

The group organizing the gathering, Sanctity of Marriage Alabama, included this statement:

"Will Chief Justice Moore be penalized because liberals disagree with his beliefs about God, marriage, and the law, or will he be fully acquitted as justice demands? Will the Court of the Judiciary go down in history as the kangaroo court that cared more for the opinions of liberal special-interests, or will they honor the rule of law? Will they set precedent for tyrannically policing the beliefs of Alabama judges or will they preserve the ability of the judiciary to do its job without fear of reprisal?"

The original article continues below:

The SPLC is the group that filed the complaint against Moore with the Judicial Inquiry Commission regarding Moore's Jan. 6 administrative order to the probate judges. An ethics complaint by a Roy Moore supporter also was filed against Cohen.

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary is to hold a trial Wednesday on six charges that allege Moore violated judicial canons of ethics with that Jan. 6 order.

Cohen believes the Court of the Judiciary has no other choice than to remove Moore, who has been outspoken against the legalization of gay marriage off the bench and in orders issued from the bench. Same-sex marriage is the law of the land, he said.

Whether the Jan. 6 document from Moore is considered an order or a suggestion it makes very little difference, Cohen said. "He has recommended at the very least that they (probate judges) violate a court order," he said.

"It's time the Court of the Judiciary take the Ayatollah of Alabama off the bench," Cohen said.

Moore's attorney, Mat Staver with Liberty Counsel, said that Moore was not advising probate judges to defy the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, Moore was following the law by informing the judges on the status of the petition, and related orders, filed by the Alabama Policy Institute in early 2015 before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on same-sex marriage, he said.

The petition had prompted the Alabama Supreme Court in March 2015 to issue and order banning the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. After the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling the Alabama Supreme Court issued a request for briefs on what it should do about its earlier order.

Staver said that Jan. 6 was six months after the Alabama Supreme Court issued the requests for the briefs on what to do with its order and Moore's administrative order was just explaining that the Alabama justices had never rescinded the order. He said that by law if nothing going on in a case then the court is to explain what is happening.

"That is what this is, a status report," Staver said of Moore's order.

Trial Q & A:

Where and when will the trial be held?

The trial will be held beginning at 9 a.m. in the Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery.

What are the charges?

Moore faces six charges of violating canons of judicial ethics filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission in May based on a complaint by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The charges center on Moore's Jan. 6 administrative order to probate judges.

What will happen at the trial and will Moore testify?

More than three dozen exhibits - including orders and letters Moore had written - will be submitted to the Court of the Judiciary. Prosecutors for the JIC have said they do not plan to call any witnesses. Moore would be the only one to testify if he chooses to do so. Moore's attorney had said that's a decision Moore will make.

JIC prosecutors and Moore's attorneys will have an opportunity to make statements to the court.

How long will the trial last?

Both sides have said they believe the trial will take no longer than a day.

Once the trial is completed how long will it take the court to render a decision?

The Court of the Judiciary has 10 days in which to render its decision. Usually, however, the court issues a ruling the day of the trial.

What are the potential outcomes?

Moore could be found not guilty of anything. He could be punished by censure, suspension without pay, or removal from the bench.

To be removed from the bench, the Court of the Judiciary must have a unanimous vote. The court on no less of a 6-3 vote could order a censure or suspension without pay.

If Moore is tossed off the bench or punished can he appeal?

Yes. He can appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Why is Moore already suspended if the Court of the Judiciary hasn't ruled?

All judges who have charges filed against them by the Judicial Inquiry Commission are automatically suspended with pay pending the outcome of their cases. Moore has unsuccessfully challenged the automatic suspension law.