Fortunately the 49ers drafted two defensive ends in the 2014 NFL Draft, because San Francisco won't know if it'll be able to enjoy the services of Pro Bowl pass rusher Aldon Smith this season for another couple months.
Smith has pleaded no contest to three felony weapons charges and two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence. The 24-year-old entered his plea Wednesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Sentencing is set for July 25 — two days after the 49ers are to open training camp.
Smith faces a sentence ranging from spending no time in custody to a maximum of four years and four months behind bars at a judge's discretion, prosecutors said.
So what's to become of the all-pro linebacker? Tracey Kaplan of the San Jose Mercury News has those details.
But Buckelew said, "There is an acceyance of responsibility here that is factored in by the sentencing judge." So, provided he keeps...
— tracey kaplan (@tkaplanreport) May 21, 2014 ...his nose clean btwn now and July 25 sentencing, he will get a lighter sentence than if he lost at trial.
— tracey kaplan (@tkaplanreport) May 21, 2014"We are aware that Aldon entered a plea today in a case that we have closely monitored," 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke said in a statement Wednesday. "Today was an important step towards bringing that situation to a resolution."
In November, Smith pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon after deputies said they found three assault rifles while responding to a complaint about a party in June 2012 at Smith's home. During the party, Smith fired a handgun in the air and was stabbed as two other people were shot during a melee, authorities said.
While the three rifles were legally bought in Arizona, Santa Clara County prosecutors say the weapons are illegal in California.
The DUI charges were filed after Smith's car smashed into a tree in San Jose in September as police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
On top of potential prison time, Smith may see a suspension from the 49ers or the NFL.
San Francisco played without Smith for five games last season after his DUI arrest and faired well against questionable competition. He finished the 2013 regular season with 8 ½ sacks and 34 tackles in 11 games with eight starts after having a franchise-record 19 ½ sacks in 2012.
#49ers were 5-0 last season without Aldon Smith, with a winning margin of 17.5 points per game (at Stl, vs. HOU, vs. ARI, at Ten, at Jac).
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) May 21, 2014
In January, Smith said during an interview with The Associated Press he was encouraged by the strides he had made to better himself off the football field that put life — and his work — in perspective.
But last month Smith was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport after authorities said he became belligerent during a security screening and threatened that he had a bomb.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's office said Smith wouldn't be charged with a felony, but city attorneys who handle misdemeanors are still investigating. Smith has not commented on the incident.
Contributing: The Associated Press