Julio Urías Pleads No Contest in Domestic Violence Case, Faces Probation and Community Labor

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge on Wednesday, stemming from his arrest in September 2023. As part of the plea deal, the 27-year-old left-hander has been placed on 36 months of summary probation and must complete 30 days of community labor.

The plea deal also requires Urías to attend a 52-week domestic violence counseling course, pay a domestic violence fund fee, and refrain from possessing any weapons. He must not use any force or violence, pay restitution to the victim, and abide by a protective order. In exchange for his plea, four other misdemeanor charges against Urías were dismissed.

The dismissed charges included an additional count of domestic battery involving a dating relationship, spousal battery, false imprisonment, and assault. These charges stemmed from an incident on September 3, 2023, in the parking lot of BMO Stadium after an LAFC soccer match. An eyewitness reported seeing Urías gets into a physical altercation with his wife.

A charge evaluation worksheet from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office stated that Urías was arguing with his wife when he "pushed (her) against a fence and pulled her by the hair or shoulders." The California Highway Patrol's major crimes division investigated the incident for three months before presenting the case to the district attorney's office on December 11, 2023.

The district attorney's office decided not to file felony charges, stating that "neither the victim's injuries nor the defendant's criminal history justify a felony filing." Instead, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed five misdemeanor program, charge against Urías on April 9, 2024.

The Dodgers removed any likeness of Urías from their stadium following his arrest, and Major League Baseball (MLB) placed him on administrative leave. This is not the first time Urías has faced domestic violence allegations; MLB previously suspended him for 20 games in August 2019 after an arrest on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery, although he was not criminally charge in that incident.

MLB is conducting a separate investigation into the current case, which may be nearing completion now that the legal process has concluded. If MLB decides to suspend Urías, he could become the first player to be suspended twice under the league's domestic violence policy, implemented in September 2015.

Urías' future in the MLB is uncertain, as he was widely projected to sign a contract worth over $200 million this past offseason before his arrest. He has a record of 60-25 in his eight Major League seasons, all with the Dodgers, and dominated with a 48-18 win-loss record in his final three years with the charge.

The baseball community awaits MLB's decision on Urías' future while the league continues its investigation. Urías' plea deal in the domestic violence case against him includes 36 months of probation, 30 days of community labor, and mandatory counseling, among other requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Julio Urías pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery charge.
• He received 36 months of summary probation and 30 days of community labor.
• Urías must attend 52-week domestic violence counseling course and pay restitution.
• Four other misdemeanor charges against him were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
• MLB is conducting a separate investigation, which may result in a suspension.