Ray Rice Assault Charges Dismissed Following Completion of Program

By ANTHONY BELLANO (Patch Staff)

Third-degree aggravated assault charges against former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice have been dismissed after he completed a pre-trial intervention program, according to a tweet by ABC’s Aaron Katersky on Thursday.

Rice was admitted to the program one year ago after he pleaded not guilty following a fight with his now-wife Janay Palmer at The Revel Casino in Atlantic City last February.

The incident was captured on a surveillance video that was obtained and made public by TMZ.

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Rice was enrolled in a diversionary program that permits first time offenders of third or fourth-degree crimes to avoid prosecution.

It ranges in duration between six months and four years, and is determined by Atlantic County Superior Court. The amount of time Rice spent in the program appears to have been one year.

Successful completion of the program results in dismissal of the case, but the arrest remains on record without conviction.

Palmer was Rice’s fiancée at the time of the fight. They were married the day after Rice’s arraignment.

Rice was charged with aggravated assault, for attempting to cause significant bodily injury, and/or purposely or knowingly causing such injury, and/or recklessly causing such injury under extreme indifference to the value of human life.

Rice holds 11 Rutgers University rushing records, including career yards and career touchdowns. He was drafted by the Ravens in 2008, and won Super Bowl XLVII with the team following the 2012 season.

Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler, was released from the team after being charged and suspended by the NFL. Rice appealed the suspension, and was reinstated last year. He remains unsigned by any NFL team.

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After public outcry that Rice was initially suspended for two games due to the assault charge, the NFL implemented a policy in which a player serves a six-game suspension for a first domestic violence offense and a lifetime ban from the league for a second offense. A second-time offender may petition for reinstatement after one year.