49ers’ Aldon Smith pleads no contest to weapons, DUI charges
By Mike Dyce
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith has had a hell of an offseason. On Wednesday he pleaded no contest to three felony weapons charges and one misdemeanor driving under the influence charge, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.
Inman live-tweeted the court proceedings, which started with reports of a possible plea bargain in his weapons and DUI charges being in the works. Then Tracey Kaplan reported that a plea deal had been reached and Smith was expected to plea guilty or no contest.
Ultimately, Smith came in and plead no contest to the weapons and DUI charges. He has a sentencing hearing set for July 25, which is right around the time that the 49ers will begin training camp. Kaplan reported that it is a court offer and not a plea deal, meaning it is up to a judge to sentence him.
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“It’s from zero days to four years and four months,” prosecutor Brian Buckelew said, via Kaplan. “There is an acceptance of responsibility here that is factored in by the sentencing judge.”
Kaplan says that if Smith can steer clear of trouble and his sentencing date a little over two months away, he could walk away with a lighter sentence than if he had risked a trial and lost. The other intriguing part of the no contest plea, according to Kaplan, is that it is a conviction and protects him from civil liability. Smith had been sued in connection with the house party by a guest who was shot after alleged gang members showed up.
Inman tried to get a comment but Smith declined to comment on the plea.