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10/15/2026 01:50:00
Printable Page
10/15 13:48 CDT Packers running back Josh Jacobs sues to have evidence in his
battery case permanently sealed
Packers running back Josh Jacobs sues to have evidence in his battery case
permanently sealed
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) --- Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has filed a
lawsuit seeking to have evidence in his battery case permanently sealed.
The lawsuit against the Hobart-Lawrence (Wisconsin) Police Department was filed
Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court.
Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of battery and
criminal damage to property stemming from a May altercation with his
then-girlfriend. He was charged in late August, and the criminal complaint
against him noted that a surveillance video from the camera system in their
garage corroborated the woman's statement.
That video hasn't been released, and lawyers representing the woman filed a
motion last month asking that the evidence be sealed.
Clarence Duchac, the lawyer representing Jacobs in this lawsuit, said in his
complaint that Jacobs "joins and supports (the victim's) position that the
identifying, private and sensitive records associated with the underlying
incident should not be publicly released."
Shortly after Jacobs was charged, the NFL placed him on the commissioner's
exempt list, which prevents the three-time Pro Bowler from playing or
practicing but allows him to keep receiving a paycheck. NFL spokesman Brian
McCarthy said Thursday that the matter remains under review of the league's
personal conduct policy and that there's no timeline on a decision.
In the complaint, Duchac says that public release of records identifying the
victim or disclosing sensitive information about her "would force unwanted
exposure upon her and risk revictimizing her through renewed public scrutiny."
The complaint says the police should be prohibited from publicly releasing
"descriptions, images, audio recordings, video recordings, statements,
communications, or other materials" whose disclosure might threaten the woman's
"privacy, dignity, safety, emotional well-being, or ability to obtain closure."
The complaint also notes that public sports figures have recently been targeted
for robberies and other related property crimes, and that releasing the video
would reveal details of the garage's interior that might put Jacobs at risk.
"The public availability of (Jacobs') schedule or travel information increases
the risk that persons could identify periods when (Jacobs) is away from home
and use released information concerning the residence, garage, access points,
security arrangements, or property to target the property," the complaint says.
"Widespread public dissemination of those details would materially increase
(Jacobs') vulnerability to theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other
targeted criminal conduct."
Jacobs was arrested May 26, three days after police officers came to his
Wisconsin home to investigate a disturbance. According to police, the woman
told them that Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground as she was trying
to exit a garage door, causing her to hit her head. Police said Jacobs also
took her phone from her while she was on the ground.
Police said they noticed redness on her face and neck and could feel a bump on
the back of her head.
Under an agreement Jacobs reached with prosecutors, the criminal damage charge
against him can be dismissed in a year if he fulfills terms that include
staying out of trouble, avoiding the victim in this case, submitting to
supervision, completing counseling and paying restitution to the victim.
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