Judge Declines To Seal Josh Jacobs Video, But Cautions Against It Becoming Public

Key Points:

• Brown County Circuit Judge Marc Hammer lifted the temporary seal on records related to Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs's domestic violence case but emphasized that the records will not be immediately made public.
• Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage charges stemming from an incident where he allegedly threw his ex-girlfriend to the ground, causing injury, with police footage corroborating the claims.
• The victim requested a permanent seal on the video to protect her privacy and safety, invoking Marsy's Law, but Judge Hammer denied this request on procedural grounds, stating the matter should be handled through a public records request process.
• Starting Friday, the police will consider public records requests for the case files, conducting a balancing test between public interest and potential harm to the victim, who along with Jacobs, will have the right to appeal any release decision.
• Judge Hammer stressed the importance of respecting crime victims' rights to privacy and dignity as mandated by the state constitution and instructed law enforcement to close previous public records requests denied under the seal.