J.R. Smith has been instructed to avoid any communication, except through an attorney, with the woman he allegedly injured seriously in an incident last month in Texas. This directive comes from an emergency protective order obtained by the California Post.
The EPO also prohibits him from approaching the woman’s home or workplace, specifically keeping a distance of at least 333 yards. Additionally, he is not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.
This emergency protective order was signed by a judge on September 29 and will remain in effect until December 29.
Smith, 41, faces accusations dating back to September 18, asserting that he “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused injury to a woman with whom he had a familial or dating relationship, as detailed in a criminal complaint filed on October 2.
The complaint alleges that Smith hit, grabbed, or pushed the woman. Her identity has not been disclosed.
He was released on a $5,000 bond the same day the protective order was signed and is now facing a charge of assault causing bodily injury related to family violence, according to court records.
Smith’s arrest occurred during a traffic stop in Texas when police discovered an active warrant for family violence assault in his name while checking his license plate, as stated by the Royse City Police Department.
Justin A. Moore, Smith’s attorney, expressed last week that Smith looks forward to resolving the situation and trusts the legal process. He emphasized that Smith is presumed innocent and urged respect for the privacy of all parties involved during this time.
Throughout his 16-year NBA career, Smith earned the Sixth Man of the Year award while with the Knicks in 2013 and celebrated a championship with the Cavaliers alongside LeBron James in the 2015-16 season. He recently graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from North Carolina A&T, where he briefly participated as a walk-on member of the men’s golf team.
