Amanda Bynes' lawyer has asked a New York judge to postpone a drug and reckless endangerment case relating to her arrest in May (13) for up to 18 months while the actress continues to undergo psychiatric treatment.

The Hairspray star has been under doctors' care since July (13), when she was admitted to a California clinic for an emergency mental health evaluation after reportedly starting a small fire on a driveway in her parents' Thousand Oaks neighbourhood, and her attorney, Gerald Shargel, headed to Manhattan Criminal Court on her behalf on Thursday morning (26Sep13) to continue fighting charges against his client.

Shargel told the judge he was eager to reach a settlement with prosecutors in the actress' absence, stating, "If she's not able to be here it doesn't mean there can't be a resolution on the case... It's uncertain when she'll be released (from psychiatric care)."

The case has been adjourned until 5 December (13), but Shargel is hopeful to have worked out an agreement with the Manhattan District's Attorney by then, revealing that one of the options being discussed is court-ordered treatment for Bynes.

The New York court date occurred just two days after Bynes' Los Angeles lawyer, Richard Hutton, claimed she was not mentally fit to stand trial to face separate charges of driving under the influence. That case dates back to April, 2012, when she reportedly side-swiped a police car in California.

Meanwhile, Bynes' mother Lynn has dropped her bid to seek permanent conservatorship over the star, according to Tmz.com. She reportedly withdrew her petition ahead of a court date on Monday (30Sep13) as doctors have already been granted permission to keep the actress under close watch and have given Lynn the power to make medical and financial decisions for her daughter.