Greg Hardy's Domestic Violence-Related Charges Expunged from Criminal Record

Nine months after domestic violence charges against him were dismissed, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy had the charges officially expunged from his record Thursday.

Hardy's attorney, Chris Fialko, informed Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer of the decision.

The former Pro Bowler was originally found guilty of assault and communicating threats against his former girlfriend last July. He was sentenced to a suspended 60-day jail term and 18 months of probation after it was alleged that he assaulted his former girlfriend and threw her onto a futon covered in guns, per Michael Gordon, Person and Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer.

The charges against Hardy were later dismissed in February after the accuser did not make herself available for Hardy's appeal, according to ESPN.com's David Newton.

Hardy missed all but one game last season, as he was placed on the commissioner's exempt list while with the Carolina Panthers. He then signed with the Cowboys and was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2015 campaign, but that was reduced to four games upon appeal.

While Dallas has struggled due to injuries to key players like quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant, the 27-year-old Hardy has been a difference-maker since entering the lineup with three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception in three games.

His character has been called into question due to a sideline blowup during a loss to the New York Giants and questionable comments made ahead of Dallas' game against the New England Patriots, but his on-field impact is undeniable.

The mark on Hardy's record certainly didn't seem to affect his play, but now that it is no longer hanging over his head, it should be even easier for him to focus fully on football moving forward.

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