Mel Gibson gets 3 years probation for drunk driving

Controversial Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson was sentenced here Thursday to three years probation and fined 1,300 dollars for drunken driving charges, prosecutors said. 　　

Gibson, who did not appear at the hearing in a Los Angeles court, was also ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the next 12 months and enroll in an alcohol abuse program for three months. 　　

Under the plea agreement reached between his attorneys and prosecutors, the 50 year-actor would have his driver's license restricted for 90 days, and agreed to film a public service announcement on the dangers of drinking and driving. 　

Gibson was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. on July 28 on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, a coastal Los Angeles town famous for its celebrity residents. 　　

Gibson's arraignment date was originally set for Sept. 28, but his defense attorneys asked that the hearing be moved up, according to the District Attorney's Office. 　　

He was originally charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence and driving with a .08 or higher blood-alcohol content. He was also charged with a Vehicle Code infraction for allegedly having an open bottle of tequila in his car. 　　

During Thursday's hearing, Gibson's attorney entered a no contest plea on his behalf to the misdemeanor charge of drunken driving. The other two charges were dismissed under the terms of the plea deal. 　　

Gibson was not required to appear at the hearing because the charges are misdemeanors. 　　

The Oscar winner could have faced up to six months in county jail if convicted of all charges, as well as a fine and possible suspension of his license, prosecutors said. 　　

Gibson won a best-director Oscar for Brave heart in 1996 after starring in dozens of Hollywood hits in 1980s and 90s, including the Lethal Weapon and Mad Max movie franchises. He has turned his attention to producing films in recent years through his own production company.