Actor Pleads No Contest to Misdemeanor

Michael Madsen pleaded no contest on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license, but the actor will not face any charges stemming from his arrest last week involving an alleged run-in with his son, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office said.

Madsen was ordered to serve 12 months probation and pay a $300 fine plus
penalty assessments in the driver's license case, according to Sandi Gibbons
of the District Attorney's Office.

Citing insufficient evidence, prosecutors declined to file a case against Madsen in connection with his March 9 arrest on suspicion of cruelty to a child, she said.

Madsen's attorney, Perry Wander, welcomed the decision.

"It's very difficult to discipline a parent who is basically trying to discipline their child,'' Wander said. "There was no child endangerment.''

Wander, who did not represent the actor in court on the driver's license case, said the defense obtained a court order to have a hold on Madsen's driver's license removed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

"If we get the license, the judge is going to vacate the plea and dismiss the case,'' Wander said.

Madsen, known for his role as the sadistic killer Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, has appeared in dozens of films, including Kill Bill, Thelma & Louise and Free Willy.

--City News Service