Charlotte Hornets restricted free agent Miles Bridges pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge on Thursday morning and was sentenced to three years probation, after he was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend in front of their two children in June.
The resolution saw him plead no contest to one felony count of injuring a child’s parent and the other two counts (child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death) were dismissed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
The plea, along with the prosecutors’ deal, means he has not admitted guilt and will not go to prison but will have to complete 52 weeks of parenting classes, 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and 100 hours of community service.
“We believe this resolution was the best avenue to hold Mr. Bridges accountable for his conduct,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement. “We also understand through the victim’s representatives that the victim wanted an expedited resolution of the case. The victim and her representatives were consulted about the proposed resolution and agreed with the outcome of the case.”
The sentence also includes a ten-year restraining order from the domestic violence victim, weekly drug tests, and a restitution hearing for the victim which is scheduled for 13th January next year.
The Charlotte Hornets released the following statement today:
“We are aware of today’s developments regarding Miles Bridges’ legal situation. We will continue to gather information before determining any potential next steps. Until then, we will have no additional comments.”
Bridges was arrested on eve of NBA free agency after he spent four years with the Hornets and if he signs with another team, the NBA still has the right to fine, dismiss or disqualify him from any further association from the league because of his no contest plea.