Matt Jones escapes arrest

by Rufio904 on Oct 8, 2008 9:47 AM EDT Comment 12 comments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones' cocaine charge will be heard in drug court rather than in the regular criminal system and will allow him to keep any conviction off his record.

Jones, 25, was to have gone on trial Friday for his July 10 arrest when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a car allegedly cutting up cocaine with a credit card.

Prosecutor John Threet said his office reached an agreement with Jones on Tuesday to send the case to drug court. Threet and Jones' attorney, Woody Bassett, said Circuit Judge William Storey approved the transfer Tuesday.

Bassett said Jones has to appear in drug court on Monday afternoon before Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn. Jones is a former quarterback at Arkansas and a first-round draft pick of the Jaguars in 2005.

Prosecutors said the felony charge will be dismissed if Jones completes the drug program.

Jones will have to undergo a nine-to-12-month intervention program in which he is to take part in group therapy sessions and serve 30 hours of community service, officials said. He also must submit to regular drug tests.

Gunn told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Jones will likely not be required to move back to Arkansas to participate in the drug court program if the NFL allows him to continue playing. She said Jones must adhere to the NFL's anti-substance abuse program and pass all its drug testing requirements.

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I'm still

unaware of all the ramifications this entails.

by Ewdtrey on Oct 8, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a little confused too

But it sounds like more good news than bad. It sounds to me that he will not face felony charges and will be able to continue playing for the Jaguars. He’ll just have to do a rehab program…no more like an alcoholics anonymous meeting for drug addicts.

by SoCalStites on Oct 8, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is GOOD news?

How in the world is this GOOD news. The guy gets busted with a lapfull of cocaine and gets a slap on the wrist? Harrison’s gun is linked to a shooting by forensics, as well as having multiple eye witnesses, and he hasn’t even been to court? Is that good news too? IF you got enough money, I guess you don’t deserve the same punishment as everyone else.

by JirafaBo on Oct 8, 2008 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually,

This is a first time offenders program. Because so many people are caught with possession of an illegal substance it helps to ease overcrowding issues, and provides Matt with an opportunity to take a step back and realize the seriousness of this issue. It has nothing to do with how much money a person has. Although, I am sure Matt was able to retain the services of a very good lawyer.

As for Harrison. I’m not sure. I work in Philly, and that was a very big story. He owns a Bar and car wash in a very shady part of town (NE Philly). I too am puzzled because since the story broke I haven’t heard word one in the local papers.

by JagsCub on Oct 8, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Allow me to clear it up...

He has entered into a standard “Pre-Trial Diversion” program. This means 3 things will happen in Matt’s favor as long as he completes all of his court requirements for 9 months.
1. He will avoid going to trial altogether for the charges against him.
2. He will not have a felony record because he never went to trial so he couldn’t be found guilty.
3. He will be free and clear with no further supervision after finishing the 9 month program.
-Some States have provisions that will result in an individual having his charges refiled if he gets arrested again within a certain time period.

So Matt will basically have no criminal record and no probationary supervision upon completion of his Pre-Trial Diversion program. What a Deal!

-Collin

by silencecs on Oct 8, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The NFL will still sanction him

Expect a one or two game suspension…

Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!

by River City Rage on Oct 8, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are correct

That is a clear case of the prosecutor looking at his criminal record and saying, “this guy is not a threat to society… so lets not burn him”. It is not restricted for rich atheletes or drug only offenders.

Now there is a time period usually associated with that diversion, so if Matt Jones scews up during it, they will not be so nice and he might have to go face the ‘butt pirates’.

Have completely no idea about Harrison. Gun play usually equates to someone doin time. I remember hearing about that too and it was slipped under the rug.

by Jaghomer on Oct 10, 2008 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if he was black

He’d get locked up. Or at the very least,….get probation with a conviction on his record. The fact that Matt Jones gets busted with substantial coke on him and gets away scott free,….he should thank God he’s white.

by ismail on Oct 11, 2008 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Next thing you'll be telling me OJ was actually innocent and was really a victim of racist cops...

It has nothing to do with skin color… It has to do with overcrowded jails and the fact he’s a “non-violent” offender… Plus he played QB at Arkansas… if you hadn’t heard ;)

-Collin

by silencecs on Oct 13, 2008 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

get a grip...

that’s a load of BS. I am white and have a totally clean record, but if I was caught like Matt, I would be facing incarceration and a certain conviction. It’s just that I am not an NFL star or some other celebrity. The system has variables and that sucks. It should be done blindly and across the board. Break the law, and you pay the price, no questions asked. Then O.J. and Matt could share a cell. Damn lawyers are to blame.

To be master of oneself and never waver in one's resolve.
- Maximus Desimus Meridius

by jagsrock on Oct 19, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Collin,

where ya’ been lately, man. No more writing for the BCC? Your writing rocked and we miss it.

To be master of oneself and never waver in one's resolve.
- Maximus Desimus Meridius

by jagsrock on Oct 19, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marvin Harrison aint white

What year is this?2008 right! It looks like we are about to have a black president. That means a black man is going to be the most powerful man in the world right? It sure looks like everything is equal now for blacks and whites. We are moving forward buddy,stop looking back.Thats too easy.

by Kenzster on Oct 11, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs