Mel Gibson pleads no contest to battery, no jail time for actor

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Mel Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a January 2010 fight involving his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva Friday.

The plea is part of a deal that keeps the actor out of jail.

Gibson, 55, received 36 months informal probation and about $500 in fines. He must also complete 16 hours community service and a 52-week domestic violence counseling program.

Gibson's attorney Blair Berk told the judge that he was accepting the plea deal for his children. He also did not admit guilt or accept liability in accepting the plea.

Detectives began their investigation into the domestic abuse allegations in July 2010 after Grigorieva accused Gibson of punching her and threatening her with a gun during an altercation at his home in Malibu.

Grigorieva released a series of profanity-laced recordings which seriously damaged Gibson's already tarnished public image.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that it decided not to pursue extortion charges against Grigorieva, saying they found insufficient evidence to prove the allegation by the actor.