Ray Rice domestic-violence charge dismissed by judge

A domestic-violence charge against former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been dismissed following his completion of a pre-trial intervention program.

New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Donio told ABC News in an email Thursday that he received a dismissal order from the prosecutor handling Rice’s case. Donio later signed the order.

“I was just presented with a dismissal order from Prosecutor [James] McClain -- which means that Ray Rice has successfully completed all of his terms and conditions of his PTI -- therefore based on the Prosecutors recommendation I will be signing Mr. Rice’s dismissal of his case,” Donio told ABC News.

Rice was ordered to attend and successfully complete the yearlong intervention program in order to avoid going to trial on a third-degree assault charge. Rice was arrested in February 2014, accused of knocking out then-fiancee Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City casino elevator.

Rice’s attorney, Andrew Alperstein, initially described the incident as a “very minor physical altercation” and “little more than a misunderstanding.” Security camera video of Rice violently punching Palmer in the face later surfaced in September.

Rice and Palmer were married on March 28, 2014, and Rice entered the intervention program less than two months later.

Rice, who was initially suspended two games by the NFL, was suspended indefinitely and released by the Ravens after video of the punch was made public by TMZ. He was reinstated in December after his suspension was overturned by an arbitrator.

Rice has repeatedly apologized for his actions. The 28-year-old, who is a three-time Pro Bowler, remains a free agent.