He received three years' probation, was ordered to spend one year in counseling, perform 16 hours of community service and pay fines and court costs. The stoic Gibson received no jail time as part of his plea, which is the equivalent of admitting guilt under California law.

"I have a good grasp of everything my attorney has discussed with me," Gibson told the judge of his plea. He struck a deal with prosecutors to dim the media spotlight on him and his family after a year of harsh claims and counterclaims between him and Grigorieva.

"It is in the best interest of his children," his attorney, Blair Berk, said in court of the actor's decision. Gibson, whose career includes the smash hit "Lethal Weapon" movies and Academy Award winner "Braveheart," has waged a bitter custody battle for almost a year with Grigorieva over their infant daughter, Lucia. Grigorieva claimed Gibson punched her and broke her tooth during a heated argument on Jan. 6, 2010.