A former spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford said Monday he will plead guilty to criminal domestic violence, even though he maintains his innocence.

Will Folks, who served as Sanford’s press secretary for four years, is accused of kicking open the door to a home he shared with a woman and shoving her into a piece of furniture.

Folks, who originally said he would fight the charges, now says he wants to avoid an ugly trial he’s not sure he can win.

“I’m not going through the process of defending myself in a trial because that would involve tearing (the woman) down,” Folks said. “Whatever is fastest and easiest for both our families to move on, that’s what I plan on doing.”

Columbia police charged Folks with criminal domestic violence and malicious injury to property after a July 22 incident — just days after announcing his resignation as press secretary.

The woman went to the police to file a complaint about the broken door, and police filed the abuse charge after they observed bruising on her back, according to the incident report.

The woman’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Folks initially said he wanted a jury trial but changed his mind after hearing comments Sanford made to an Associated Press reporter in which the governor said Folks made a “very stupid and tragic mistake.”

Folks said if his longtime boss thought he was guilty, his chances of winning a jury trial were slim.

“It’s a personal disappointment, but you have to deal with those things sometimes in life,” Folks said of Sanford’s comments. “I still believe in everything he’s fighting for, and I’m still going to be fighting for those same things in my private life.”

Before deciding to plead guilty, Folks also looked into applying for a pretrial intervention program, known as PTI, which allows for charges to be dropped in exchange for counseling.

But 5th Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese, whose office oversees Richland County’s PTI program, reiterated his vow to bar those charged with criminal domestic violence from the program.

“My belief and policies concerning CDVs and PTI have not changed,” Giese said in a statement Monday.

Domestic violence was a front-and-center issue in the General Assembly this year. Controversial comments made by a Lowcountry legislator created a furor and prompted lawmakers to stiffen penalties for offenders.

Folks, who is charged with his first offense, could face up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail. Under law, a first-offense conviction can be expunged after three years.

Reach Stensland at (803) 771-8358 or jstensland@thestate.com.