Ray Rice, the highly lauded NFL player and running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was accepted into the New Jersey Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTI) in his assault case.

Ray Rice was recently arrested for allegedly hitting his girlfriend. Reports indicated that the star running back had assaulted his girlfriend while in an Atlantic City casino. Widely circulated video surveillance footage showed Rice dragging the unconscious woman out of a hotel elevator.

Rice later appeared in a Mays Landing NJ court to answer charges of third degree aggravated assault. He has now managed to avoid a trial by being granted entrance into the state’s PTI program.

Had Rice gone to trial, he could have been sentenced to serious prison time. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), third degree aggravated assault is punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from three years to five years in New Jersey State Prison. Rice also could have been fined as much as $15,000.

Since he has been admitted into the PTI program, Rice will have the opportunity to stay out of jail so long as he successfully completes the program and meets all program requirements, including a minimum probationary period of one year, drug testing, community service, and counseling. Upon completion, Rice will become eligible to have the arrest expunged from his criminal record.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “Ray Rice Accepted into Diversion Program, Assault Arrest Could Eventually Be Expunged.“

If you are facing assault charges in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense attorney Travis J. Tormey for a free consultation about your case.