CONTINUED CUSTODY OF SYDNEY, JUSTIN CONSIDERED LIKELY.

Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer

A civil jury's verdict may cost O.J. Simpson millions, but it is not likely to cost him custody of his two young children, legal experts said Wednesday.

Despite an outcry from some women's advocacy groups, legal experts say a judge's ruling allowing Simpson to raise his two children probably will stand.

``The judge already ruled that the outcome of the civil suit was irrelevant to her determination of detriment of the children,'' said Encino family law attorney Glen H. Schwartz.

In a custody battle between the football great and his children's maternal grandparents, Orange County Superior Court Judge Nancy Wieben Stock ruled Dec. 20 that Simpson should raise Sydney, 11, and Justin, 8.

The judge ruled that the Browns failed to prove it would be detrimental for the children to live with Simpson, despite allegations that he abused their mother, Nicole Brown Simpson - and in spite of the wrongful death lawsuit against him.

Lou and Juditha Brown are considering an appeal, or may opt to file a new guardianship case because of the civil lawsuit verdict, said Eric Lagin, an attorney for the couple.

``We're looking at what would be most effective and fast,'' said Lagin, adding that the Browns are increasingly worried about the children. ``Here, the kids have a jury telling them their father slaughtered their mother. It's a terrible situation.''

Simpson's attorney in the custody case, Bernard A. Leckie, was unavailable for comment.

Even if Simpson goes broke paying compensatory and punitive damages, experts said, the football great probably still would not be denied custody.

``The California Supreme Court has made clear that courts are not committed to consider wealth when making custody decisions,'' said Scott Altman, a University of Southern California family law professor.