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Former NFL Star Smith Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence Charges

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Former NFL star linebacker Aldon Smith, who played for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders, pleaded not guilty Monday to domestic violence, assault, false imprisonment and vandalism charges.

Smith was released by the Raiders last week after he was arrested following an alleged domestic violence incident at an apartment in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood.

In addition to his not guilty plea, a protective order was issued, prohibiting Smith from contacting the victim.

"Domestic violence is a major problem in our community and we want to send a very clear message," District Attorney George Gascon said. "We want to make sure we also protecting the survivor in this case."

Officers first began investigating after someone reported to police around 8:30 p.m. on March 3rd that Smith was involved in a domestic violence incident. When officers responded to the Bush Street residence, Smith had already left.

The victim in the incident suffered injuries not considered life-threatening.

Smith turned himself in three days later after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is free on bail and has been ordered back to court on April 5th.

The 28-year-old helped the Niners make it to the NFC title game in 2011 as a rookie and the Super Bowl the following year. But the off-field issues started mounting the following season when he missed five games to undergo treatment at an inpatient facility following a DUI arrest.

Smith was then suspended the first nine games in 2014 while serving an NFL suspension for violations of the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. San Francisco then released him in August 2015 following his fifth run-in with the law regarding another drunken driving arrest.

He signed with Oakland just before the start of the 2015 season and had 3½ sacks in nine games before being suspended again for at least one year.

Smith applied for reinstatement to the NFL in 2016, but that decision was initially deferred until the offseason and he never was granted reinstatement.

Smith has played 59 games over five seasons in the NFL with 47½ sacks and one first-team All-Pro honor in 2012.

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