Sean Penn Pleads No Contest to Battery Charge

Actor Sean Penn pleaded no contest Friday to one count of misdemeanor battery stemming from a nightclub brawl, and was ordered to pay fines and penalties of $1,700 or perform 250 hours of community service.

Municipal Court Commissioner Juelann Cathey also placed Penn on 12 months’ probation and ordered him to complete a booking procedure, including fingerprinting, which the actor had resisted. Attorney Richard Towne entered the plea for the 26-year-old actor, who did not appear in court.

Penn was accused of pushing songwriter David Wolinski off a chair and kicking him at Helena’s nightclub on April 12, 1986. Wolinski, who said Penn accused him of trying to kiss the actor’s wife, singer Madonna, has filed a lawsuit against Penn in Superior Court, seeking $25,000 in damages.