Chad Johnson charged with misdemeanor domestic battery

Johnson will be arraigned Thursday morning. (US Presswire)

About a month ago, former Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson was arrested for allegedly head-butting his wife after the two got into a heated argument inside their car. The Dolphins quickly released Johnson, and his wife, Evelyn Lozada, filed for divorce.

On Wednesday, the Broward state attorney's office charged Johnson with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery.

According to the Broward County clerk of courts, Johnson will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Prosecutors told NBC Miami that Johnson wasn't expected to be in court but that he was expected to submit a written not-guilty plea.

If found guilty, Johnson could face up to a year in jail.

A few days after the alleged attack, Lozada said in a statement, “I am deeply disappointed that Chad has failed to take responsibility for his actions and made false accusations against me. It is my sincere hope that he seeks the help he needs to overcome his troubles. Domestic violence is not okay and hopefully my taking a stand will help encourage other women to break their silence as well. I'm grateful to my family, friends and fans for the outpouring of support during this difficult time."

Johnson has been apologetic since then, even appearing in the final episode of this season's “Hard Knocks.”

"The Dolphins, I let them down," Johnson said during that interview. "I messed up. I got to suffer the consequences. I made that bed, I got to lay in it. So basically, I got to start all over. ...

"How did I even get to this point? Somewhere along the way I lost focus. I lost something that I love -- I lost two things that I love because of my immature actions. I'm going to get both of those back one step at a time. ...

"I'm sure some opinions, some views on me might've changed because of the events that've happened, but all I can do is say sorry. I'm human and … I just got to come back a little stronger."

First, though, he'll have to answer his charge in a court of law, if not in person, then with a written plea.

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