Legal Troubles for USC’s Poole

Former USC defensive back Will Poole pleaded no contest last month to driving under the influence of alcohol -- the third member of USC’s 2003 national championship team to face criminal charges since the season ended.

Poole, 22, was arrested in Los Angeles on Feb. 25 at 3:15 a.m. after the car he was driving hit a sand-filled barrier near Mission Road and Richmond Street, Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office, said Wednesday. Poole was booked at the LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division and was released on bail.

Poole appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 29 and pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor charge, Mateljan said. He was sentenced to five days in Los Angeles County jail, 36 months probation and faces fines that could total about $1,300, Mateljan said. Poole also must complete six months of alcohol-abuse related counseling and attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mateljan said.

Poole was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of last month’s NFL draft.

Poole intercepted seven passes in his only season at USC after transferring from Ventura College. The New York native began his college career at Boston College, but left the school following the 2000 season after being suspended for a violation of team rules. After the draft, Poole acknowledged to reporters that he was suspended from Boston College for stealing.

Poole could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

On April 19, junior offensive lineman Winston Justice, 19, and former receiver Sandy Fletcher, 23, were arraigned in the same division of L.A. Superior Court on misdemeanor charges stemming from separate gun-related incidents. Both pleaded not guilty.

Coach Pete Carroll said that he “had heard there might be something going on,” with Poole, but did not know details and had not talked to Poole.

“When you have 100 guys you try to tell them to avoid situations that can put them in a bad position.... We’ll will keep working to help our guys try to understand,” Carroll said.