Seahawks' Hunter to enter domestic-violence program

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Seattle Seahawks rookie Wayne Hunter will begin domestic-violence counseling next month to avoid the possibility of jail time after Bellevue, Wash., police arrested him on July 15 on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend, who was eight months' pregnant, the Seattle Times reported.

Hunter, a 22-year-old offensive tackle from the University of Hawai'i, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault in King County District Court on July 17, two days after he was arrested at the Bellevue apartment he shared with his girlfriend of 4ý years, court documents show.

Each of the assault charges, which are gross misdemeanors, carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Hunter's attorney, Gene Piculell, said his client will ask a judge to let him enter a counseling program at his next court appearance in October. Hunter will also participate in domestic-violence counseling offered by the NFL, he said.

The 18-month program is offered to people charged with a first offense, said Bellevue police Lt. Autumn Fowler.

"If you successfully complete the program, it's like it never happened," she said.