Greg Hardy’s Domestic Violence Record Expunged By Judge

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy's domestic violence record was expunged earlier this week, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Hardy's lawyer confirmed to The Charlotte Observer that a Mecklenburg County district judge has signed the order, thereby erasing and sealing Hardy's domestic violence charges from his criminal record.

Hardy was found guilty by a North Carolina judge of assaulting a female and communicating threats in July 2014 following an alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. Hardy allegedly choked Holder on a futon covered with assault rifles in May 2014.

After a bench trial's guilty verdict, Hardy appealed for a jury trial, but the case was thrown out in February 2015 after Holder stopped cooperating with prosecutors. Prosecutors believe that Holder was paid a settlement by Hardy in exchange for her silence.

After initially sitting out last season due to the charges, he was suspended for 10 games by the NFL for his domestic violence incident, but it was later reduced to four games upon appeal. Hardy has never apologized for nor publicly addressed the incident.

No longer a woman-beating abuser in the eyes of the law, he's not likely to apologize now, but the recently expunged charges will continue to hang over his NFL career, as another domestic violence incident will result in a lifetime ban from the league.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline or visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline operated by RAINN. For more resources, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website.

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