Papa Panettiere's Arraignment Postponed

Alan Panettiere's arraignment on a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly striking his wife has been postponed

By Josh Grossberg, Claudia Rosenbaum Oct 14, 2008 6:48 PMTags

Hayden Panettiere's dad just caught a break.

Alan Panettiere's arraignment on a misdemeanor battery charge for allegedly striking his wife, Lesley, was postponed today, E! News has learned.

His lawyers were able to work out a deal with prosecutors allowing him to remain free on $50,000 bail until his new arraignment date, Dec. 11. In turn, he agreed to to abide by a protective order that he "not harass, strike, threaten, assault (sexually or otherwise), follow, stalk [or] molest" his wife.

He must also not "destroy or damage real property" and hand over to authorities any licensed handguns in his possession.

Alan and Lesley Panettiere attended the hearing at the Beverly Hills courthouse together. He offered up a terse "no comment" upon leaving the courtroom.

Deputy District Attorney Kevin Liu said prosecutors were satisfied with the deal.

"It's not standard but it's not unusual. He's not getting any special treatment," he tells E! News.

The Heroes star's pop was popped Aug. 11 for allegedly hitting Lesley on the cheek after returning home from a Hollywood bash hosted by their daughter at Eva Longoria Parker's restaurant, Beso.

Police suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the dustup and are continuing to investigate. If convicted, Panettiere faces up to a year in county jail.

Shortly after the squabble, Hayden Panettiere said the incident was "blown way out of proportion" by a local sheriff "who wanted his 15 minutes of fame" and that her family was doing "great."