Mel Gibson ordered community service, counseling and three-year probation over abuse dispute
LA judge requires Mel Gibson three-year probation, community service and counseling over domestic abuse
The Los Angeles court has ordered actor Mel Gibson three year probation over domestic abuse filed against him by ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. The “Braveheart" actor has also been required by the court to do 16 hours of community service and undergo domestic violence counseling program.
The decision made by the Los Angeles Courthouse Airport resulted from the deal entered into by Gibson in hopes to end the legal battle with former girlfriend.
According to the Agence France Presse, Gibson has pleaded no contest to a charge of battery against Grigorieva in order to avoid spending a night in jail.
The actor is required to continue the court-ordered one-year domestic violence counseling program he started in January. A children’s care group was named by the court to be served by Gibson for his court-ordered to do his community service. The court also asked Gibson to pay $400 fine to end the dispute.
"I have a good grasp of everything my attorney has discussed with me," Gibson was quoted by the AFP as telling the judge when asked if he understood his plea.
The actor’s attorney, Blair Berk explained the nature of Gibson’s plea in a statement.
"Mel's priority throughout all of this has been that the best interests of his young daughter, Lucia, and the rest of his children be put first in any decisions made,” Gibson’s lawyer said, according to AFP.
The lawyer also revealed that the actor initiated the talks that was used as basis by the court in its ruling against the actor.
"It is with only that in mind that he asked me to approach the district attorney with a proposal that would bring all of this to an immediate end," Gibson’s lawyer added.
Gibson’s run-in with the law has gotten worse since his DUI arrest in 2006 that had created stir in the entertainment industry after the anti-Semitic remarks he made to a highway patrol officer.