Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will not face a formal misdemeanor battery charge related to an alleged domestic incident in South Florida. The Broward State Attorney’s Office confirmed on Thursday that prosecutors decided against pursuing the charges after a thorough review of various pieces of evidence, including police reports and video footage.
Judkins was arrested on July 12, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on accusations of domestic violence and battery. The incident reportedly occurred five days prior to his arrest but went unreported until police were contacted on the day of his arrest. According to the arrest report, Judkins allegedly became frustrated after reading text messages from his family and struck a woman in the chin and lip area while driving from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. He is also accused of hitting her in the arm and thigh.
Evidence Review Leads to Decision
The decision to decline charges was based on a detailed assessment of the situation. A memorandum from the attorney’s office highlighted several critical points: there were no independent witnesses to the incident, and the alleged assault was not captured on any surveillance footage. Although the victim presented photographs showing bruising, the memorandum noted that there were videos taken at the same time where no injuries were visible.
“The delay in reporting the incident is problematic,” the memorandum stated. “The victim had opportunities to report the incident without the defendant’s knowledge but chose not to.”
Due to these factors, prosecutors determined there was “no reasonable likelihood of conviction,” leading to the decision to dismiss the case.
Impact on NFL Career and Future Prospects
An NFL spokesman stated that the league is monitoring the developments surrounding Judkins, which remain under review. Judkins, who was selected as the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is currently the only unsigned player in this year’s draft class as his legal situation continues to unfold.
In late July, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed cautious optimism regarding Judkins’s potential to contribute to the team in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, general manager Andrew Berry indicated that a framework for a contract was already in place for Judkins prior to the arrest, highlighting the ongoing negotiations for increased guarantees that several second-round picks are seeking in their rookie deals.
As the situation develops, Judkins’s future with the Browns and in the league remains uncertain, but the lack of formal charges may facilitate a quicker resolution to his contract negotiations.
