Last year on Oct. 12, Oscar-winning actor, Sean Penn, attacked a photographer on a residential street in Brentwood, California. The actor was caught on video, which showed him breaking the photographer's camera and kicking him in the legs.

Initially, Penn was charged with battery and vandalism and was facing a maximum of 18 months behind bars if convicted.  Penn's Los Angeles criminal defense attorney was able to establish a plea deal with prosecutors and end the battery case against him.  On Wednesday, May 12, 2010 the actor pleaded no contest to a vandalism charge as part of the plea deal.

Penn has been sentenced to 36 months of probation and 300 hours of community service. He will also have to undergo 36 hours of anger management classes and stay at least 100 yards away from the victim, Jordan Dawes.

If the actor successfully completes all of the terms of his sentence, he will be able to reduce his criminal charge of vandalism to disturbance of the peace, which is considered a less severe crime.

If you or someone you know has been charged with Battery or Vandalism, contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Robert M. Bernstein today.