LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced on Tuesday that they will not file felony charges against former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias in connection with his September arrest. ESPN was the first to report this development. The case will now be referred to the City Attorney’s office for consideration of misdemeanor charges.
Urias was arrested on September 3 on suspicion of felony domestic violence outside of a LAFC game at BMO Stadium against Inter Miami. The county’s report stated that Urias was involved in an argument where he pushed the victim against a fence and pulled her by the hair or shoulders. However, the district attorney’s office determined that the victim’s injuries and Urias’ criminal history do not justify felony charges.
Major League Baseball placed Urias on administrative leave on September 6 and he did not play for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old is now a free agent. The league has continued to investigate Urias as the legal process unfolds, and it is expected to accelerate once the legal portion is complete.
According to the leagues and players’ union’s joint domestic violence policy, the league can still discipline a player even without criminal charges. In 2019, Urias served a 20-game suspension after being arrested but not charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. This policy has been in place since 2015, and no player has ever been suspended twice.
Following his 2019 suspension, Urias returned to the Dodgers and played a key role in their 2020 World Series victory. However, the team quickly distanced themselves from him after his September arrest.
In conclusion, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will not file felony charges against Julio Urias. The case will now be reviewed by the City Attorney’s office for potential misdemeanor charges. Major League Baseball has placed Urias on administrative leave and continues to investigate the matter. If disciplined, Urias would be the first player to receive a second suspension under the league’s domestic violence policy.