Ravens director of security Darren Sanders' fourth-degree sex offense case has been shifted to circuit court from district court, his lawyer Warren Alperstein said.
Sanders was originally scheduled for a court appearance Monday afternoon. He has now been assigned an arraignment on March 12.
"There's no grand jury involvement, there's no indictment," Alperstein told The Baltimore Sun. "It's common practice for a criminal information to be filed to move the case to the circuit court. That way, it's the only case scheduled in a courtroom whereas in the district court there could be dozens of other cases. It's more practical to do it this way."
Sanders was charged in December after allegations against him surfaced Dec. 14. A 34-year-old woman called police to M&T Bank Stadium and alleged that Sanders groped her buttocks, kissed her neck and attempted to make her touch his genitals.
If convicted of the misdemeanor, Sanders could be punished by a maximum of a year in jail, a fine of $1,000 or both.
A retired Baltimore City homicide detective who's been with the Ravens for over a decade, Sanders is on paid leave. That's required under the NFL personal-conduct policy while the case remains active.
Sanders didn't travel with the team during the playoffs after being placed on leave.
awilson@baltsun.com
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