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NFL wide receiver and former Razorback star, Matt Jones, was back in the court room Monday, but it was actually a good thing.
Jones graduated from drug court. "He completed all the requirements of the program and he was able to graduate and his charges were dismissed," said Lisa Dennis, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Washington County.
Jones' troubles began last July, when he was arrested for possession of cocaine in Fayetteville. He was sent to drug court, and was then arrested again in March, for violating probation, after he failed an alcohol test. He told the judge he had a beer on the golf course with a friend. He was released from the Jacksonville Jaguars a few days later. However, he was allowed to return to drug court, and after 30 weeks, he graduated.
In a lot of ways, you can look at this as his last chance. "We will not accept him back to the drug court program, if he gets into more criminal problems," said Dennis.
Jones has no more obligations to Washington County, but he will remain in the NFL Substance Abuse Program until 2010. That means counseling as well as drug and alcohol tests at least one a week.
Throughout the legal process Judge Mary Ann Gunn has spoken candidly with Jones about his mistakes. Today she spoke about his achievements. "She had some discussions, he did some voluntary community service that was not part of the drug court obligation, so they discussed that and he mentioned before he likes working with the kids," said Dennis.
As for Jones' football career, he remains a free agent. If he is signed by a team he will be able to begin playing immediately.
Jones graduated from drug court. "He completed all the requirements of the program and he was able to graduate and his charges were dismissed," said Lisa Dennis, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Washington County.
Jones' troubles began last July, when he was arrested for possession of cocaine in Fayetteville. He was sent to drug court, and was then arrested again in March, for violating probation, after he failed an alcohol test. He told the judge he had a beer on the golf course with a friend. He was released from the Jacksonville Jaguars a few days later. However, he was allowed to return to drug court, and after 30 weeks, he graduated.
In a lot of ways, you can look at this as his last chance. "We will not accept him back to the drug court program, if he gets into more criminal problems," said Dennis.
Jones has no more obligations to Washington County, but he will remain in the NFL Substance Abuse Program until 2010. That means counseling as well as drug and alcohol tests at least one a week.
Throughout the legal process Judge Mary Ann Gunn has spoken candidly with Jones about his mistakes. Today she spoke about his achievements. "She had some discussions, he did some voluntary community service that was not part of the drug court obligation, so they discussed that and he mentioned before he likes working with the kids," said Dennis.
As for Jones' football career, he remains a free agent. If he is signed by a team he will be able to begin playing immediately.
