Ray Rice Indicted in Atlantic County for Domestic Aggravated Assault

We all know that domestic relationships can be challenging at times with arguments and disagreements seemingly a normal part of all relationships.  A bright line must be drawn, however, when a domestic argument results in physical violence and injuries to an individual.  That appears to be exactly what happened between NFL running back, Ray Rice, and his fiancé, Janay Palmer, at the Revel Casino Hotel on February 15, 2014.

Last week, an Atlantic County grand jury returned an indictment charging Rice with third-degree aggravated assault against Palmer.  The indictment alleges that Rice knocked Palmer unconscious during an argument inside an elevator at the Revel casino.  The Atlantic City Police were called and Rice was originally charged with simple assault.  It was reported that a video tape was released which shows Palmer unconscious and Rice moving her limp body out of the elevator.  The case was sent to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office because of the evidence captured on surveillance tape.

In New Jersey third–degree aggravated assault charge carries a potential state prison term of three to five years.  There is a statutory presumption against state prison if Rice has a clean record.  In fact, he could apply for the Atlantic County first offender program called Pre-Trial Intervention.  Rice could ultimately have the charge dismissed if he is enrolled into  Pre-Trial Intervention and successfully completes the program.  The charge would be dismissed at the end of the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.  He would thereafter be eligible to have his entire record expunged in six months from dismissal of the charge.