SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed several charges against Barry Bonds but left most of the indictment alleging the slugger lied to a grand jury about taking steroids intact.

The ruling Monday paves the way for Bonds to go to trial in March.

Bonds faced 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury and one count of obstruction of justice. His lawyers had asked U.S. District Judge Susan Illston to dismiss 10 of the charges, saying Bonds was asked ambiguous questions in front of the grand jury.

Illston ruled Monday to dismiss or combine five of the perjury charges.

The decision wouldn't likely effect sentencing should Bonds be convicted because the substance of the charges are the same. Bonds has pleaded not guilty to all counts.