Dolphins Linebacker Sentenced for Isla Vista Battery

As expected, a Santa Barbara judge granted Miami Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi’s request to drop his felony battery charge to a misdemeanor at Misi’s sentencing hearing Wednesday morning.

According to prosecutor Anthony Davis, Misi received three years of misdemeanor probation at his sentencing and was ordered to complete 12 sessions of anger management and 400 hours of community service. Misi paid restitution — money for the victim’s hospital bills and damage to a door and phone — upfront.

In April 2011, authorities said, Misi punched through the front door of an Isla Vista apartment and then hit a man in the face, fracturing his orbital socket. Misi had reacted to another man yelling from the apartment balcony. Misi was arrested for the incident in March 2012.

The crime was a wobbler, meaning it could be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. Because of Misi’s lack of criminal history and because he paid the $42,000 in restitution, the court dropped it to a misdemeanor.

Misi will be back in court in June for a status check on his community service and anger management classes.

The 6′ 3”, 257-pound Misi just finished up his third season with the Dolphins, and despite hurting his ankle in a December 9 loss to San Francisco and missing two games, he had career highs in tackles and forced fumbles. He finished the season with 65 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Dolphins.