Mel Gibson to Plead No Contest to Battery, Avoid Jail Time in Oksana Grigorieva Case

Confirming earlier reports, Mel Gibson will in fact be charged with Domestic violence, stemming from an alleged attack on Oksana Grigorieva in early 2010.

He will also plead no contest Friday and avoid jail time.

According to TMZ, Mel will appear in court and enter a plea on the charge of simple battery - a lesser charge than corporal injury on a spouse.

NO CONTEST: Mel will be convicted, but on a lesser charge.

Mel was emotionally torn over the impending criminal charge. He denies Oksana's claims and believed he could win, but feared for his family.

After depositions, huge legal bills, the humiliation of the Mel Gibson tapes and non-stop scrutiny, he sought compromise and a swift resolution.

The pair's protracted court battle has taken a major toll on him and he didn't want to subject his family to more of the same. So he cut a deal.

Under the plea, he will undergo counseling but not spend any time behind bars. Gibson's lawyer, Blair Berk, released the following statement:

"I know from almost 20 years as a criminal defense lawyer that sometimes justice can come for a client at too high a personal price."

"That is particularly so for Mel, whose right to due process can only be exercised in this case with an enormous media circus attached."

"Mel's priority throughout all of this has been that the best interests of his young daughter Lucia and the rest of his children be put first."

"It is with only that in mind that he asked me to approach the District Attorney with a proposal that would bring this to an immediate end."

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