Mel Gibson Charged With Misdemeanor Battery Against Oksana Grigorieva

Mel Gibson's continuing crime saga is nearing its end. The embattled actor pleaded no contest to the L.A. Country District Attorney’s misdemeanor battery charge on Friday, according to TMZ. Gibson’s plea and the charges come after TMZ broke the news on Wednesday that the simple battery charge is part of a plea deal whereby he would plead no contest and avoid jail time. The “West Plea” allows Gibson to maintain his innocence in exchange for 16 hours of community service (which he will do with an organization called Mending Kids) and 52 weeks of counseling. Gibson may only have “peaceful contact” with his ex and the mother of his daughter, Oksana Grigorieva. Under his 36 months of informal probation, Gibson cannot use force or violence against anyone.