Aldon Smith trial set to begin May 2

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Editor's note: The above video is from Aug. 7, 2015.

Aldon Smith will soon have his day in court. The Raiders edge rusher is facing three charges stemming from an Aug. 6, 2015 incident that ultimately led to his release from the 49ers, the team that drafted him No 7 overall in the 2011 draft.

Smith faces misdemeanor counts of DUI with a prior conviction, hit and run and vandalism under $400.

Smith’s jury trial begins on May 2, a Santa Clara District Attorney spokeswoman said on Friday afternoon.

[MAIOCCO: Report: Arrest warrant issued for 'vanished' ex-49ers LB]

Smith’s trial was in the news earlier Friday, when former 49ers linebacker Nick Moody disregarded a court order to speak with a Florida judge who planned to ensure he would testify against Smith in his upcoming trial. Moody was reportedly with Smith during his latest run-in with the law.

The Aug. 6 incident has already caused Smith great distress. He was cut by the 49ers the following day and, roughly two months after signing with the cross-bay Raiders, Smith was suspended a calendar year by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Smith is banished from all team activities and can only have contact with the Raiders player engagement director.

Smith’s time in Oakland produced lasting bonds, which prompted the Raiders to sign him to a two-year contract this offseason despite the fact he is suspended until Nov. 2016 at least, and must be formally reinstated by the NFL.

Raiders brass was able to interact with Smith briefly when he signed a new contract on April 4.

“Just like we told Aldon when we signed him, we want the best for him as a person,” Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said on Friday. “He’s in this process, and we had to take a step back. The league office has certain procedures for what we can and can’t do, but he left here in great spirits, probably the best that we’ve seen.

“So, we’re hoping for the best for him. If we get him, that’ll be great, if the league so decides to do so. We feel good about our decision to give him an opportunity.”

While Raiders coaches and front office personnel can’t maintain contact with Smith, his teammates have kept in touch during a vital period vital to his NFL future. Smith must work hard to stay out of trouble and within strict NFL rules for reinstatement during this downtime.

“We were real excited he decided to come back,” fello edge rusher Khalil Mack said. “That’s another one of our brothers and we’re looking forward to having him back, but until then, we’re going to still keep in contact with him. Then whenever he’s around, we’re going to try to get up with him and all those different things to support him.”

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