The Los Angeles Rams found themselves dealing with headlines involving offensive lineman Alaric Jackson and allegations that he got physical with his pregnant girlfriend.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office announced that prosecutors would not be filing criminal charges against Jackson “at this time.”
That last part is doing some heavy lifting.
“At this time” is basically the legal system’s version of “we’ll circle back on this after the meeting.”
For now, though, Jackson walks away without criminal charges hanging over his head.
“This matter has been assigned for a City Attorney Hearing, a pre-filing diversion available to eligible individuals that is an alternative to misdemeanor criminal prosecution,” Pine said.
“Charges are not filed against the respondent at this time, however, the case stays open throughout the length of the statute of limitations. It can be re-evaluated if there are further developments.”
That does not mean everyone involved gets a shiny “case closed” stamp and rides off into the sunset.
The City Attorney’s website describes a City Attorney Hearing as a “an informal proceeding that is conducted as an alternative to a misdemeanor criminal prosecution.”
Its goal, according to the site, “is to develop alternative resolution in cases where a crime has been committed but prosecution may be inappropriate.”
For now, the scoreboard reads: allegations made, charges declined, and social media preparing for approximately six more rounds of arguments.
