JR Smith Accused of Assault in Court Filing

Retired NBA star JR Smith is accused of "hitting, grabbing or pushing" a woman, causing "bodily injury" to a member of his family or household or someone with whom he was dating, according to excerpts of a criminal complaint filed in Tarrant County, Texas.

Smith was arrested on Monday in Hunt County, Texas, on a warrant out of Southlake. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member. The 41-year-old has denied the allegations through his attorney.

Smith was released from jail on Tuesday after posting a $5,000 bond. The arrest occurred when Royse City Police, alerted to a suspect traveling eastbound on Interstate 30, initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle's driver was identified as Earl Joseph Smith III, and the warrant was confirmed, leading to his arrest.

"JR is eager to see this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process," said his attorney, Justin A. Moore, in a statement. "He is presumed innocent, and we will address this matter in Court. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved throughout the process."

Smith, a 16-year NBA veteran, won two championships alongside LeBron James, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. After retiring from basketball, he pursued a college golf career at North Carolina A&T State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies.

This is not Smith's first brush with legal trouble. His non-violent criminal history includes a conviction for reckless driving related to a car accident that resulted in the death of a friend, for which he served 24 days in prison. In 2018, he paid $600 after throwing a fan's cell phone into a construction site in Manhattan.

During his basketball career, Smith was known for run-ins with coaches and the league, including being fined twice for untying opponents' shoes during games. He was also arrested in 2012 for failing to appear in court after being cited for operating a motor scooter without a valid license. In 2018, he reportedly threw a bowl of hot soup on Cavs assistant coach Damon Jones.