Judge unseals files in Josh Jacobs case; record requests can proceed

A Brown County Circuit Court Judge on Sept. 24 lifted his temporary order sealing the records in the Josh Jacobs case and said the legal process should play out.

Green Bay Packers running back Jacobs pleaded no contest on Sept. 10 in Brown County Circuit Court to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges stemming from a May 23 incident in Hobart with an ex-girlfriend.

Judge Marc Hammer said Wisconsin open records law favors public access, but it will be up to the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department to apply a balancing test between the rights of the public, the defendant and the victim in deciding whether to release records. Parties can then appeal the decision, in which case it will end up back in court.

Hobart/Lawrence Police Chief Michael Renkas said the department denied a number of requests so far based on the temporary order to seal the record. Hammer said his order will be vacated by Sept. 25, and new open records requests can be made.

Jacobs missed Packers games so far this season because he is on the commissioner's exempt list, which means he cannot play or practice with the team. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network/ESPN reported on Sept. 13 that the NFL wants to see security video from the home during the incident before deciding on how long Jacobs should be suspended.

The Press-Gazette and other media filed open records requests for the video and other documents, which were denied under the temporary sealed-records order.

Attorneys for the victim submitted a proposed order permanently sealing the records on Sept. 15, citing state statute and Marsy's Law, which ensures that victims of crime have equal, constitutional rights on the same level as those accused and convicted of crimes. Hammer denied that request, preferring that the process continue under open records law rather than through the criminal case.

The victim, who has not been named, is concerned that personally identifying information could be made public. Hammer suggested such information could be removed without the entire record being sealed.

Jacobs has not requested the record be permanently sealed.

For the battery charge , Hammer on Sept. 10 accepted Jacobs' plea and the mutually recommended fine of $1,000 and court costs. For the criminal damage to property charge, he was ordered to not have contact with the victim, pay restitution, attend counseling and be under supervision for one year.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs pleads no contest to misdemeanor battery

Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@usatodayco.com . Follow him on X at @RichRymanPG and on Instagram at @rrymanPG .