Mel Gibson pleads no contest, gets probation

TMZ reports: TMZ has learned Mel Gibson's lawyer went to the Malibu Courthouse Thursday and appeared with the prosecutor to reveal a plea deal. Gibson has agreed to three years probation, but will avoid jail time. Gibson was ordered to attend one year of AA meetings. For the first four-and-a-half months he must attend five times a week. For the remainder of the time, he must attend three times a week. Gibson must also pay $1200 in fines and penalties as well as one hundred dollars in restitution. Gibson volunteered to do a public service announcement on the hazards of driving under the influence. He also volunteered to enter a rehab program immediately. Under the deal, Gibson pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor of driving with a .08 blood alcohol level or higher. The misdemeanor count of driving under the influence was dismissed. The infraction of driving with an open container of alcohol was also dismissed. [More...] Mel did not appear at the court during the plea bargain. Reuters adds more: "This was an appropriate outcome which addresses all the public safety concerns of drinking and driving," Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano said in a written statement. Mel's publicist, Alan Nierob, has not yet been available for comment. More from the Associated Press: "Court documents said Gibson has already voluntarily begun rehabilitation." "The actor's arraignment had been scheduled for next month but his attorney requested that it be moved up, and a judge agreed, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said." It looks like Mel is continuing to put his life back together. Also, the terms of the probation should not effect his ability to continue working on Apocalypto. [Discuss this post in the ApocalyptoWatch forums!] Technorati Tags: Apocalypto, Mel Gibson, DUI, plea, Lawrence Mira, Gina Satriano, Blair Berk