Mel Gibson has been charged with drunken driving five days after he was stopped on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, for speeding.
Anti-semitic comments that Gibson is alleged to have made during his arrest have stained his public image.
Prosecutors yesterday made no mention of Gibson's self-described "belligerent behaviour" and "despicable" remarks in the complaint, which also charges him with having an elevated blood-alcohol level and an open container of alcohol in his car.
If convicted, Gibson faces up to six months in jail, the district attorney's office said.
"The ball is now in his court whether he is going to ask for a trial," said district attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.
Gibson does not have to appear for his September 28 arraignment. A lawyer may appear in his place.
First-time misdemeanour drunken driving offenders usually face minimal, if any, time behind bars.
If convicted, it would be up to the judge to determine whether Gibson would serve any time, Gibbons said.
Gibson's lawyer Blair Berk would not discuss the case.
The Sheriff's Department said Gibson was stopped at 2.36am local time on Friday for driving at 87mph in a 45mph zone. Authorities said his blood-alcohol level tested at 0.12 per cent. A California driver is legally intoxicated at 0.08 per cent.
According to a law enforcement official, the Sheriff's Department report says Gibson told the arresting deputy: "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked him, "Are you a Jew?"
Gibson has issued two public apologies aimed at the Jewish community.
