Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was accepted into a pretrial intervention diversion program Tuesday, signaling his assault charge will be dismissed if he completes the program, according to ESPN.

First-time defendants are offered pretrial intervention diversion sessions to avoid formal prosecution. ESPN reports that Rice will have to attend the program for a minimum of one year and, upon successful completion, his third-degree charge of aggravated assault will be dismissed. On February 15, Rice was involved in an incident at the Revel Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with his then-fiancée and now-wife Janay Palmer. The arrest would remain on Rice’s record, but without the conviction, meaning he could keep playing football.

"We're very happy with the result. We're glad that the court and the prosecutor's office agreed PTI was the appropriate disposition for the case," Rice's attorney Michael Diamondstein told ESPN when contacted about Tuesday's decision.

Prosecutor Jim McClain added: "This decision was arrived at after careful consideration of the information contained in Mr. Rice's application in light of all the facts gathered during the investigation. After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law it was determined that this was the appropriate disposition."

Rice has amassed 6,180 yards and 37 touchdowns rushing for the Ravens since 2008.

BET Sports News - Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Jill Scott, A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross and many more. Click here for more details and info on how to purchase tickets. 

(Photo: REUTERS/Sean Gardner)