Phillips: Arrest A Misunderstanding

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips was released from jail on his own recognizance Friday following his arrest for allegedly physically abusing his live-in girlfriend.

"Our office reviewed the case today and referred it to the city attorney's hearing program. The parties will come in and sit with one of our attorneys, who will try to mediate the situation," said Jonathan Diamond, a city attorney's spokesman.

"Charges could be filed down the road, but we're trying to resolve this through the hearing program," Diamond added.

Phillips, best known for his roles in "La Bamba" and "Stand and Deliver," was initially taken into custody for investigation of felony domestic violence, said police officer Marjan Mobasser.

Officers were called about 2 a.m. to a home in the Northridge section of Los Angeles, Mobasser said.

"Phillips got into a verbal altercation with his live-in girlfriend which eventually escalated into physical abuse," Mobasser said.

The officer did not know whether the girlfriend, who was not identified, sustained any injuries or whether she was taken to the hospital.

Phillips was released around 12:15 p.m., police officer Jason Lee said.

The actor's publicist, Erik Bright, said the incident "was a misunderstanding."

In recent years, Phillips has made a number of guest appearances on TV, including "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "24."