Mel Gibson's 2006 drunk driving conviction expunged [Updated]

A judge today agreed to expunge Mel Gibson's conviction that followed an infamous Malibu drunk driving arrest in which the actor made anti-Semitic comments to a sheriff's deputy.

As part of his 2006 conviction, Gibson agreed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, perform in public service announcements and pay $1,300 in fines to resolve the drunk driving case.

[Updated at 10:35 a.m.: As a first-time drunk-driving offender, Gibson was eligible to have the conviction removed from his record after completing the terms of his probation. The expunging request and procedure is routine and took place before Judge Lawrence J. Mira during a 90-second hearing.]

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy stopped Gibson in July 2006 on Pacific Coast Highway after he was spotted driving his Lexus sedan over 85 mph. A breathalyzer test showed Gibson's blood-alcohol level to be .12%; the legal limit is .08%.

Sheriff’s officials initially described the arrest as “without incident.”

But after the celebrity website TMZ.com obtained the arrest report detailing Gibson’s profane outbursts, attempt to escape custody and repeated threats to the arresting deputy, critics charged that the actor had received special treatment by authorities.

In his initial report, Sheriff’s Deputy James Mee described how Gibson “bolted” from custody and how he chased the actor back to Gibson’s car and handcuffed him.

In addition, the report detailed repeated threats against Mee made by Gibson, who said he “owned Malibu” and would “get even” with the deputy.

The report also detailed Gibson’s “barrage of anti-Semitic remarks,” in which he said, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” before asking the deputy, who is Jewish: “Are you a Jew?”

Department officials decided to place that portion of the report under lock and key in an effort to prevent immediate public disclosure, while only a narrative of the basic facts was made available to station personnel.

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Mug shot taken after Gibson's 2006 arrest. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Previously on latimes.com

Gibson uses plea deal to resolve case

Gibson arrested on suspicion of DUI

Critics find voice in Gibson drama

Opinion: Slurring more than his words

Column: The shame is that so few say `shame'

Comments

[Warren]

Now we all have to forget it and pretend it never happened or the judge will be upset at us.

[Stan Halloway]

They can "expunge" Mel Gibson's driving record, but CAN NOT AND WILL NOT expunge the memory of his hateful remarks. I have seen my last Mel Gibson film or any other work he does, period!

[Reader]

Expunging of first time drunking driving offenses is routine in California if you complete the terms of your probation without incident. It has nothing to do with his celebrity you morons. Do you just read the headlines and then come up with your own story (Evad, Anon)?

[Timbinohio]

According to the article this is a standard practice as pasted below.
Try to read the article before commenting on it.

[Updated at 10:35 a.m.: As a first-time drunk-driving offender, Gibson was eligible to have the conviction removed from his record after completing the terms of his probation. The expunging request and procedure is routine and took place before Judge Lawrence J. Mira during a 90-second hearing.]

[melandjesus]

This is total BS. My friend got a DUI, had a similar blood alcohol level, same state, and didn't make any antisemitic remarks.
They will have it on their record for years and it cost them more than $1300

As if I needed another reason to despise this self righteous bible thumping d-bag.

[Greg H]

Anybody can have the record requested to be expunged after they have met all of there obligations, finishing paroll was his last obligation, you do not have to be rich & famous

[ROCAFORTE]

True.

[ROCAFORTE]

True.

[marco]

what a jerkoff..Lucky you made all that Money Mel

[Belinda]

Don't expect the Hollywood libs to forgive him. But if he drugged, raped and sodomized a 13 year-old, then fled the country, it wouldn't be such a big deal!

[gino]

It was a ROUTINE arrest. First time alcohol DUI offenders will usually receive probation, with expungement if the state you live in handles it that way. It doesn't have anything to do with being rich and famous. A big bag of coke on the seat and a powder face would be a different story.

[redplanet]

Being Catholic and used to getting your sins wiped out this should be just the same for Mel. He is now free to drink and drive again..."Forgive me, for I have drank"

[Jacob]

This is why I hate the California politicians. If there is money or fame involved everything is flexible. Who's pockets were lined with the drunk's money.
Justice for all ? yea sure

[junglek]

Having the DUI expunged is routine. What is not routine, and stinks, is that if a mere mortal were to run from an officer, verbally abuse an officer, and threaten an officer, there would have been more charges than simple DUI. He's a prejudiced dirt bag whose fame and money got him special treatment. What else is new?

[jONNY rEb]

Did he throw his hands up in the air and yell "FREEDOM!!" like he did in "Braveheart"?

Cool.

[champ]

Is Mel Gibson Jewish?

[Blogstein]

Sadly, sterotypes exist for a reason. Comments like "I CANNOT AND WILL NOT expunge..." reinforce the negative collective sterotypes. Forgive and forget. No human is perfect. He's just an actor, director, producer. In the scheme of life, he's nothing. Wasting your time and energy on being negative about him only shows you're even smaller.

[Ivan]

If this is the first time you have seen proof of our country's two tier justice system then i ask, what country have you been living in because it obviously has not been here in the US. This is a pebble compared to the light sentences celebreties receive by our legal system. I say congratulations Mel! Keep supporting the community with your public service.

[Jarad Platt]

I am again reminded of Susan Sarandon's statement about Mr. Gibson, "Mel Gibson is a beautiful man, but only on the outside."

[Michael S.]

Hey thetruth,

if he were Jewish this wouldn't be in the news.

[Leo Brunswick]

This is a very common issue. And almost anyone that "keeps their nose clean" for three years can get a DUI expunged. A lot has to do with changing your behavior and taking responsibility for what you did.

It's not because he is rich and famous. Anyone would get the same consideration as long as they are not career criminals or general recalcitrants.

[robert]

So how does a poor peasant get his record expunged ???

[ladyofargonne]

Erasing the conviction does nothing to eradicate the memory of what he said about Jews or the damage done because of it. That damage being to his career.

[Kells]

My sister is a lawyer! People get expungements every day! This has nothing to do with being rich or famous! Its a part of the law and if you have a crime that can be expunged you can get an expungement! Stop making a big deal out if everything Jesus!

[Millissa]

I know a guy who got a DUI and an assautlt charge and had the DUI expunged so it's really no big deal. They do it for all first time offenders.