San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith will be sentenced on Friday after his no-contest pleas in May on three felony weapon possession charges and two misdemeanor drunk driving charges. The sentencing was moved up a week in San Jose, California.
ALDON SMITH to be sentenced today at 1:30, a week earlier than scheduled. #niner #49ers
— tracey kaplan (@tkaplanreport) July 18, 2014
Smith was charged with felony weapons possession following a June 2012 party at Smith’s home, in which he fired off an unregistered weapon in order to disperse what was becoming an unruly crowd.
The DUI charge stems from an incident in September of last year when Smith, under the influence of alcohol, slammed his car into a tree near San Jose during rush-hour traffic on a Friday morning.
Smith’s sentencing likely won’t have an impact on his ability to play for the 49ers this season, but the NFL may decide to suspend him at some point in the not-so-distant future. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been utilizing a philosophy of waiting to see how criminal charges play out prior to imposing suspensions. We should now hear something at some point soon. The expectation is that Smith will be suspended for some of the upcoming season. It just remains to be seen how long.
Smith faces anywhere between no jail time and four years in prison.
Photo: SF Gate