Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson is unlikely to face felony charges following his recent arrest for felony domestic battery. However, he remains at risk of a new suspension under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
According to reports from ESPN’s Sara Barshop, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has assigned Jackson’s case to a pre-trial diversion program, an option available to eligible individuals as an alternative to misdemeanor prosecution.
The NFL Personal Conduct Policy explicitly states that a violation occurs upon the “disposition of a criminal proceeding.” This definition is broad, encompassing an adjudication of guilt, a plea to a lesser offense, a plea of nolo contendere, or the completion of a diversionary program, such as pretrial intervention or a conditional dismissal.
Essentially, while a diversion program serves as an alternative to a guilty plea or formal prosecution, it does not constitute an exoneration. For NFL purposes, entering such a program is sufficient to trigger a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.
Given that the underlying allegations involve domestic violence, the policy dictates a baseline suspension of six games. Because Jackson has already served a prior two-game suspension for a Personal Conduct Policy violation, the league’s guidelines allow for enhanced or expedited discipline, which can include permanent banishment. Consequently, even if Jackson avoids being barred from the league, his history suggests a penalty exceeding the standard six-game baseline.
Therefore, while the diversion program protects Jackson from felony charges, it effectively ensures he will face further disciplinary action from the league.
Recent reforms to the Personal Conduct Policy—which involve an outside party conducting hearings—may not protect Jackson from the Commissioner’s final disciplinary decision. While a judge’s ruling is binding regarding factual findings, the policy treats entry into a diversion program as an automatic violation, meaning the facts of the case will likely be undisputed. The Commissioner retains final authority over the specific punishment, though the decision remains subject to an internal appeal process.
Ultimately, these legal developments mean that while Jackson may avoid prison time, he faces the prospect of a significant suspension.
