Josh Jacobs Sues to Seal Evidence in Domestic Abuse Case

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is pursuing legal action against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department to permanently seal evidence and records from a battery case. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court, comes after Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend.

Prosecutors had brought charges in August, citing corroborating evidence including surveillance video from Jacobs' garage. Last month, District Judge Marc A. Hammer canceled a temporary order that had sealed the evidence at the victim's request. The decision on whether to release the evidence had since been in the hands of the Hobart-Lawrence police, who had not publicly shared it.

The victim's attorneys had also filed a motion in September to seal the records. Jacobs' attorney, Clarence Duchac, joined this effort in the new lawsuit, arguing that "identifying, private and sensitive records associated with the underlying incident should not be publicly released."

In addition to supporting the victim's motion, Jacobs' legal team cited a recent spate of robberies targeting athletes' homes. The lawsuit states that public access to Jacobs' schedule or travel information could increase the risk of his property being targeted by individuals using details about his residence, garage, security, or property. "Widespread public dissemination of those details would materially increase [Jacobs´] vulnerability to theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other targeted criminal conduct," the lawsuit reads.

Last month, Jacobs was ordered to attend counseling and pay restitution to the victim. He remains on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list, which prevents him from playing or practicing with the Packers while continuing to receive his salary. The NFL has also sought to obtain the evidence as part of its own investigation into the incident.