Mel Gibson reaches a settlement that allows him to avoid prison on the charge of domestic violence

American actor Mel Gibson has reached a deal with authorities in Los Angeles whereby he will plead no contest to the charge of simple battery, thus avoiding jail time.American website “People” had indicated that Gibson had reached an agreement which would allow him to avoid a felony domestic violence count for attacking his former girlfriend, Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva, who is the mother of his child.Gibson’s lawyer stated that taking his client to trial would generate a lot of media coverage if it were to take place and that his first priority is to protect his daughter Lucia and his other children. According to his lawyer this is what motivated him to reach a deal with authorities.Gibson had previously been criticized for making anti-Semitic comments while intoxicated, moreover tapes have been released which show him using racist remarks in an argument with Grigorieva.