After being officially charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly assaulting Oksana Grigorieva, his former girlfriend and mother to his 1-year-old daughter, Mel Gibson pled no contest in court Friday, RadarOnline.com reports.The actor-director, 55, was charged after months of investigation by sheriff's detectives into a January 2010 incident where Gibson allegedly "willfully and unlawfully" used violence against Grigorieva during a heated argument.
Gibson got probation for three years and was ordered to attend 52 weeks of counseling in a domestic violence program. He was also ordered to do 16 hours of community service and pay a small fine. The judge said he would continue the psychological "treatment" he's currently receiving as well.
A protective order to stay away from Grigorieva was also handed over to the actor. His ex-girlfriend was not in the courtroom after waiving her right to appear.
When asked how he pled during the proceedings, Gibson responded, "No contest, pursuant to People v. West." This meant he did not express admission of guilt, only a consent to be punished as if guilty.
Gibson's attorney, Blair Berk, told the court that Gibson was pleading no contest to avoid a long trial and protect his children. "He's entering this plea because it was in the best interest of his children," Berk said.
Allegations that Gibson struck Grigorieva surfaced last summer after a series of explosive audio tirades between the actor and the Russian singer surfaced online. The rants contained racist and sexist taunts as well threats of violence. Gibson has not addressed the rants and has kept a low-profile in the months since they surfaced.
After numerous delays in the wake of the bad press surrounding the actor, Gibson's next film, the Jodie Foster-directed dramedy 'The Beaver,' is expected to be released later this year.
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