A trial could take place in mid-November. Watch video
PISCATAWAY -- The lawyer for suspended Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo is trying to get his assault case resolved as quickly as possible.
Because that can't happen for at least a few more weeks, he will request that Rutgers reinstate him before a trial takes place.
"Otherwise, the season could be over for Leonte," said Peter Gilbreth after Carroo's arraignment Thursday in Piscataway municipal court on a simple assault charge.
On Sept. 12, Carroo was charged in a melee outside the Hale Center, accused of slamming a woman to the ground after a football game. He has pleaded not guilty to simple assault.
Carroo's trial will likely take place no sooner than mid-November, according to Gilbreth. That could sideline Carroo for weeks -- assuming he is found innocent.
Gilbreth argued that Rutgers should let Carroo back on the football team before the case concludes because of the low level of the charge against him. Unlike the charges against other football players -- since kicked off the team -- Carroo's case is a disorderly persons offense, which are usually not punishable by jail time for those who have no criminal histories.
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Gilbreth said he'll make a formal request to Rutgers after a hearing on a temporary restraining order in Family Court next week, at which they will present evidence and witnesses. Carroo's lawyers previously said Carroo didn't lay a hand on the alleged victim, and that she was the aggressor in the incident.
Rutgers' final regular-season football game is Nov. 28 against Maryland. The Scarlet Knights have a Nov. 14 game against Nebraska and a Nov. 21 game at Army.
Judge Dennis Fackelman, sitting in Piscataway, noted the complex nature of the case, and the reams of evidence involved. Several dozen witnesses were interviewed, and videos and pictures will play an important role in the case.
Making matters even more complicated, several other people have been charged with assault, including Carroo's girlfriend, his girlfriend's father, and his mother. And last week, Carroo's girlfriend, Maria Vega, signed complaints against the alleged victim in the Carroo incident and another woman.
The woman Carroo allegedly slammed to the ground did not appear in court Thursday morning.
Carroo, wearing a tan suit with a scarlet red pocket square, stood and listened to the judge during his court appearance, but did not speak. He declined to comment afterwards.
In order to speed up the process, Gilbreth will request that Carroo's case be separated from the five other assault cases stemming from Sept. 12. Prosecutors said they didn't object, but Fackelman did not immediately rule on the matter because other attorneys in the case needed to be consulted.
NJ Advance Media reporter Keith Sargeant contributed to this report.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.