Mel Gibson Intertwined in Child Custody Dispute and Domestic Violence Charges
Movies and talk shows often make viewers feel as though celebrities never experience family disputes, but this kind of picture is in fact far from perfect. Family law matters relating to child custody, alimony, domestic violence, and property division affect the financial stability, well-being and personal relationships of hundreds upon thousands of U.S. citizens – celebrities included.
Well-known actor Mel Gibson is at the center of a domestic violence investigation involving his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. The former couple is also involved in a child custody dispute over their eight-month-old daughter. If Gibson is convicted of domestic violence, his right to custody of his child may be significantly compromised in addition to him facing serious penalties.
With alleged tape recordings of Gibson and Grigorieva surfacing as potential evidence in the domestic violence case, Business Week reports that Gibson’s professional career may come to a standstill, not to mention jeopardize the outcome of the child custody battle. The article also states that Gibson served three years’ probation and attended court-ordered Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after pleading no contest to a 2006 misdemeanor DUI offense in which his record was expunged in 2009.
While it is difficult to predict the outcome of this particular case, when determining child custody or visitation, you can almost bet on a history of violence or crime being taken into consideration in any family law case. Several people are misinformed in believing that domestic violence only affects a significant other. Children can be placed in harm’s way when verbal, physical, or sexual abuse is taking place in a household.
Michael Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm... Michael Monheit→