While the NFL gets a bad rap for having the most criminals in professional sports, the NBA actually has a higher arrest rate. Certainly, the NFL has a higher number of arrests--after all, there are more players on each team roster than in the NBA. The rate of arrest, though is lower. A 2011 report showed that out of 1,696 NFL players the previous year, 34 were arrested--a rate of 2 percent. The NBA, by contrast, had 23 arrests out of 450 players--a rate of about 5 percent and 2.5 times greater than the NFL arrest rate.

In a one month span, three NBA players have been arrested on domestic violence complaints, including Oklahoma City Thunder guard DeAndre Liggins.

  • On August 17, Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson and his girlfriend were both arrested on domestic violence complaints after a "mutual situation" that involved yelling, screaming, and the destruction of a cell phone. Lawson was arrested on misdemeanor complaints of domestic violence related harassment and property damage. He was released on $1,000 bond.
  • On August 31, Oklahoma City Thunder guard DeAndre Liggins was arrested on complaints of domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse in the presence of a child. The alleged victim is tentatively identified as Liggins's girlfriend, and police have not specified to whom the child belongs. In Oklahoma, domestic assault with a dangerous weapon is a felony.
  • Yesterday, September 3, Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullivan turned himself in and was arrested on domestic violence complaints of assault and battery, malicious destruction of property and witness intimidation, following an incident allegedly involving his girlfriend.

In the Lawson and Sullivan cases, police say the arguments began over accusations of cheating. In any romantic relationship, emotions run high, and jealousy and defensiveness can quickly escalate an argument or disagreement to a physical altercation. However, once a fight becomes physical, there is strong potential for a criminal charge.

Domestic violence in Oklahoma is typically a misdemeanor on the first offense, but certain actions are considered felonies. These include second and subsequent offenses, domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor child, domestic abuse of a woman known to be pregnant resulting in miscarriage, domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and domestic assault and battery resulting in great bodily injury.

It is not acceptable to perpetrate violence against a family member or intimate partner. However, in the heat of passion, people make terrible mistakes that can destroy a family and lead to criminal consequences. Click here to find out more about how a criminal defense attorney can help, or call (405) 417-4832 to schedule a free, confidential case review.