Mel Gibson's 2006 DUI Conviction Expunged from Record

By Jim Greene

Published on November 11, 2009

Mel Gibson's infamous 2006 drunk driving arrest may be in the public memory for years to come, but it won't be in the public record, thanks to a judge's recent order to expunge it.

A Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokesperson said Superior Court Judge Lawrence J. Mira agreed to a request from Gibson's attorney to dismiss the conviction, based on Gibson's successful completion of the terms of his three-year probation. These included appearing in public service announcements, attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and paying fines of $1,300.

Expunging a first drunk driving conviction upon completion of the terms of probation is a standard practice. The hearing for Gibson's request took only 90 seconds.

Gibson was pulled over in July of 2006 for speeding on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, an exclusive beach community west of Los Angeles. According to police records, his blood alcohol content was 0.12 percent; the legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Gibson reportedly said he "owned Malibu" to Sheriff's Deputy James Mee, and said he would get even with Mee for the stop. The deputy's report says Gibson also said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked the deputy, "Are you a Jew?" Mee is Jewish.

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