Jacobs Evidence Seal Lifted
Judge lifts temporary seal on Josh Jacobs evidence as NFL seeks records
Anonymous
A Brown County judge lifted the temporary seal on evidence in Packers running back Josh Jacobs’ criminal case and denied a request to permanently seal it, directing Hobart-Lawrence police to handle future records requests under Wisconsin’s open-records law. The department must weigh public access against the privacy and other rights of Jacobs and the victim, and its decisions may be challenged in court. Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend; he received a $1,000 battery fine and a deferred judgment on the property-damage charge. The NFL is seeking evidence, including surveillance video, for its personal-conduct investigation, but has given no timeline for a disciplinary decision. Jacobs remains on the Commissioner Exempt List and cannot practice or play while the investigation continues.
Key Points
1
Jacobs said he respected the judge’s decision and Wisconsin law regarding victims’ rights. His statement also said the victim’s sealing request was denied because the court found a more appropriate forum for it.
2
After the order was entered, FOX 11 and the NFL filed new requests for the evidence; earlier requests from the NFL and media outlets had been denied, and the judge’s order required new requests.
3
Wisconsin’s process gives Hobart-Lawrence police 10 days to review a records request. If police decide to release the material, they must notify the parties, who then have 12 days to appeal; requesters can also ask a judge to reverse a denial.
4
The NFL Players Association declined to comment, saying the matter was an ongoing legal case and league investigation.
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