Former American League MVP Jose Canseco and his twin brother Ozzie are scheduled to stand trial today in Miami on charges stemming from a nightclub scuffle on Halloween last year.

The charges against Jose Canseco carry a maximum sentence of 31 years in prison; Ozzie Canseco faces up to 17 years.

The Cansecos have said they are innocent, and rejected a plea deal last August.

"I was not brought up a liar," Jose Canseco told Circuit Judge Leonard E. Glick in August. "I would rather spend 31 years in prison than lie and compromise myself."

Jose Canseco faces two felony counts of aggravated battery with bodily harm and one misdemeanor battery count. Ozzie Canseco is charged with one felony count of aggravated battery and two misdemeanors.

Under the prosecutors' offer, the Cansecos, 38, would have had to plead guilty to the original charges, but the felony charges would not have gone on their records.

Jose Canseco would have received five years' probation with a chance of early termination after three years, and 250 hours of community service. Ozzie Canseco was offered three years' probation and 200 hours of community service.

Both would have undergone anger management counseling, agreed to stay away from the victims and witnesses in the case, and split $1,089 in restitution payments.

The brothers told the judge that they understood the charges and consequences of being found guilty, and confirmed their desire for trial.

Police said Jose Canseco grabbed one man by the neck, punched him and broke his nose. Jose Canseco admitted pushing the man but denied hitting him. Jose Canseco said at the time that his twin pushed the second man.

Police said the man needed 20 stitches in his lip.

Jose Canseco said that he and his brother were being sued by the victims.

Jose Canseco was prosecuted twice for domestic violence, in 1992 and '98, and was ordered to undergo counseling both times.

Canseco spent the best years of his career as the right fielder for the Oakland Athletics. The 1988 AL MVP ranks 26th on the career home run list with 446 and was picked to six All-Star teams. He retired in May.