A.J. Perez

USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel was formally indicted by a Dallas County grand jury on Tuesday, the latest off-the-field development in the life of the troubled former Cleveland Browns quarterback.

The single misdemeanor domestic violence charge --- which stems from an alleged incident with his former girlfriend in January --- was handed down by grand jury that convened on Thursday. The charge appeared on the Dallas County District Court records website on Tuesday.

The Class A misdemeanor assault charge carries a maximum of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

"Johnny will certainly plead 'not guilty' and we believe the evidence will support that plea," Jim Darnell, the lead attorney for Manziel, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. "Out of respect for Ms. (Colleen) Crowley, we will not try the case in the press. We do, however, believe that Johnny will be acquitted at the conclusion of the case.”

Prosecutors decide what to present to a grand jury, which meets in secret with no judge present. Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk said in a statement that the grand jury authorized a “true bill” on the single domestic violence complaint.

"This case will move forward in the criminal justice system and be prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office," Hawk said. "As always, we respect the criminal justice process and the decision that the Dallas County Grand Jury has made in regards to this case.”

Crowley, Manziel’s former longtime girlfriend, accused Manziel of striking her several times and said he threatened to kill Crowley and himself after the two left a Dallas bar on Jan. 30, according to an affidavit that was part of a protection order application. She also said in the affidavit that Manziel appeared as if he were “on some kind of drugs.”

“He hit me with his open hand on my left ear for jumping out of the car,” Crowley claimed in the affidavit. “I realized immediately that I could not hear out of that ear.”

Mike Sinha, a Tarrant County District Court judge, granted Crowley a protective order on Feb. 3, ruling that there is “reason to believe family violence has occurred.” Manziel agreed to the order, which is in effect until Feb. 3, 2018, and which mandates Manziel must have no contact with Crowley and has to remain at least 500 feet from her residence.

Dallas police eventually investigated the alleged incident, but did not arrest Manziel. Instead, Dallas police turned the results of the investigation over to the Dallas County District Attorney's office --- a rarity for misdemeanor cases.

Manziel was released by the Browns in March and he remains a free agent.