Editor's note: Eric Doutt accepted a plea agreement on one count of obstruction and entered into and completed the ARD program. His record has been expunged.

An Arnold police officer suspended this year after he and he wife were charged in a domestic dispute could plead guilty to one charge, undergo counseling and be back on the job as early as next month, his attorney said.

Eric Doutt, 43, an Arnold patrolman and New Ken-sington-Arnold School Board member, waived his right to a hearing on the charges on Thursday, Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis said.

Doutt is charged with simple assault on a police officer, obstructing justice, hindering apprehension and harassment.

The charges stem from a May 11 incident in which police attempted to arrest Doutt's wife, Karen, 43, after they say she tried to strike him during a domestic dispute. When officers handcuffed Karen Doutt and placed her in a police vehicle, they say Eric Doutt became enraged and tried to remove her from the vehicle and shoved one of the arresting officers. The officers eventually released Karen Doutt in an effort to defuse the situation, they said.

Both were sent summonses to appear for arraignment. Karen Doutt also waived charges against her to court on Thursday.

The case was moved to De-Marchis' court after New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. recused himself from the case because Eric Doutt regularly files charges in his court.

Doutt has been suspended with pay since the charges against him were filed and he was demoted to patrolman from detective sergeant.

Daniel Joseph, Eric Doutt's attorney, said the terms of a proposed plea agreement include Doutt pleading guilty to trying to remove his wife from police custody and agreeing to undergo counseling.

In return, he would be accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders. Under ARD, suspects undergo a period of probation, after which they can apply to have their record expunged.

Joseph said Doutt would be able to work as a patrolman “as soon as he is accepted into the ARD program,” perhaps next month, and he will petition the court to expunge the ARD after all counseling is satisfactorily completed.

“This is a typical resolution to cases like this. No one was hurt. It was a verbal argument,” Joseph said.

Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck confirmed that the couple separately waived their rights to preliminary hearings but said he couldn't otherwise comment until the matter goes to court.

Both Doutts refused to comment on Thursday as did Arnold police Chief Willie Webber.

Doutt formerly was Arnold's police chief but was replaced when Mayor Larry Milito took office.

Chuck Biedka can be reached at cbiedka@tribweb.com.

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