Cowboys DE Greg Hardy petitioning to expunge domestic violence charges

Dallas Cowboys DE Greg Hardy filed a petition to expunge the domestic violence charges against him.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy filed a petition to expunge the domestic violence charges against him, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Hardy's attorney announced the news Monday. The petition will go to the State Bureau of Investigation, which will begin a background check. The process usually takes four months.

“Every day Americans who have misdemeanor charges dismissed file for expungement of the charges from their record,” said Chris Fialko, Hardy’s attorney.

• Jerry Jones: Greg Hardy 'paid a terrific price'

Last year, while a member of the Carolina Panthers, Hardy was found guilty by a judge in a bench trial of assaulting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. The charges were dismissed in February after Holder failed to appear in court and could not be found by prosecutors, who said she received a settlement from Hardy.

The NFL has yet to announce whether Hardy be punished by the league. A North Carolina judge ruled earlier this month that the NFL can view photos submitted as evidence in the case as part of the league's investigation. The league's new conduct policy could mean a six-game suspension.

- Jeremy Woo