1. Headline
  1. Headline
Image: Gerard Butler
Joel Ryan  /  AP file
Actor Gerard Butler faced up to six months in jail if convicted of misdemeanor battery.
updated 1/5/2010 3:22:44 PM ET 2010-01-05T20:22:44

A judge has dropped a misdemeanor battery charge against Gerard Butler.

Superior Court spokeswoman Mary Hearn says the charge was dismissed after a hearing Tuesday, with the move dependent on the actor completing community service.

Butler could have faced up to six months in jail if convicted.

His attorney Blair Berk declined to comment.

City prosecutors say the Scottish-born star of "300" had a run-in with a photographer on Oct. 7, 2008, after leaving a premiere party for the film "RocknRolla." His manager has said Butler was forced to have his driver stop the car after the photographer sped through red lights and almost struck two pedestrians.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Discuss:

Discussion comments

,

More on TODAY.com

None
  1. Getty Images

    Oxbow upsets Orb in Preakness

    5/19/2013 6:38:24 AM +00:00 2013-05-19T06:38:24
None
  1. North Korea fires three short-range missiles

    North Korea fired three short-range missiles Saturday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said, but the purpose of the launches was unknown.

    5/18/2013 8:55:00 AM +00:00 2013-05-18T08:55:00
None
  1. NBC News

    video First lady to grads: Live your dream

    5/18/2013 9:22:31 PM +00:00 2013-05-18T21:22:31
None
  1. 7-time Lotto winner shares his secrets

    5/18/2013 4:23:54 PM +00:00 2013-05-18T16:23:54
None
  1. Town throws wedding for triple amputee Marine

    5/18/2013 11:47:32 AM +00:00 2013-05-18T11:47:32
None
  1. Andreas Rentz / Getty Images

    Jennifer Lawrence, more stars shine at Cannes

    5/18/2013 6:23:56 PM +00:00 2013-05-18T18:23:56