Packers' Josh Jacobs evidence, lawsuit seeks to block release
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, convicted and fined in a misdemeanor battery case, filed a lawsuit late Wednesday seeking to block the release of video evidence in the case.
Hobart-Lawrence police
The backstory:
On Tuesday, the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department said it planned to release some redacted records as part of its investigation into what happened at Jacobs' home – but the department is temporarily withholding their release.
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Wisconsin law requires police departments to notify people who are named in records before they are released. It gives those people a five-day window to alert police that they intend to try to block the release of those records through a lawsuit, then 10 days to actually file the paperwork.
Josh Jacobs appears in court on Sept. 10, 2026.
Josh Jacobs lawsuit
What we know:
Records show Jacobs' attorneys filed suit against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department on Oct. 14.
The lawsuit argues the release of video evidence could reveal information about the layout of Jacobs' home, increasing the "risk of theft, burglary, robbery, trespass, or other criminal conduct." It also states Jacobs "joins and supports" the victim's position that "identifying, private, and sensitive records" should not be publicly released.
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Dig deeper:
The victim filed a separate lawsuit against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department on Oct. 14, also seeking to block the release of evidence – "primarily" video from Jacobs' garage. The lawsuit argues the video is "highly sensitive" and its release would force the victim to "continually re-live the incident over and over again for little to no reason."
What they're saying:
In a statement, Jacobs' attorneys Clarence Duchac, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said: "We understand that ANM has taken action to protect her privacy. Our filing is an effort to assist her."
What we don't know:
While police said they planned to release some redacted evidence, it's not clear what portions of the evidence would be redacted. Court filings state a physical altercation between Jacobs and the victim was captured on home surveillance.
Josh Jacobs pleads no contest, fined
In court:
The Brown County District Attorney's Office charged Jacobs with two misdemeanors, battery and criminal damage to property, in August. The charges stemmed from a May incident involving his girlfriend, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said Jacobs and his girlfriend got into an argument that ended with him throwing her to the ground and damaging her phone. Investigators said the victim suffered a head injury.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to both misdemeanor charges on Sept. 10. A Brown County judge then ordered Jacobs to pay a $1,000 fine for a misdemeanor battery charge and approved a deferred judgment agreement on a misdemeanor criminal damage to property charge.
As part of the deferred judgment, Jacobs cannot get in trouble with the law, must do some sort of counseling and battery intervention, stay away from the victim and pay her restitution. If Jacobs does not violate the terms of the agreement within the next year, the charge will be dismissed.
Later in September, a Brown County judge denied a motion from the victim in the Jacobs case to permanently seal evidence. WLUK-TV reported Judge Marc Hammer filed a notice declining the motion, which was entered in court records. The victim's attorneys said the judge rejected the order due to a formatting error, and they resubmitted a motion.
Is Josh Jacobs suspended?
Big picture view:
The NFL placed Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, which is not a formal suspension, in August. The designation prevents the running back from playing or practicing, but it allows him to keep receiving a paycheck as the NFL conducts its own investigation. Any games Jacobs misses while on the commissioner's exempt list would count toward a suspension, but he'd have to repay the money.
Editor's note: This story was updated to include information from the victim's lawsuit and a statement from Jacobs' attorneys.
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The Source: Information in this story is from the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, the Brown County District Attorney's Office, Wisconsin Circuit Court records and WLUK-TV.