Georgia Bulldogs Nolan Smith, William Mote cases reach resolution following arrests

Following offseason arrests, Georgia Bulldogs players Nolan Smith and William Mote have had their cases resolved, just in time for fall camp.

Both players wound up in legal trouble in the month after the national championship win over Alabama. Authorities charged Smith with speeding in a construction zone and driving on a suspended license.

He was reportedly going 89 miles per hour, 44 miles per hour over the limit, while traveling through Barrow County on his way home from the airport in Atlanta. Both of Smith’s charges were misdemeanors, and he was released shortly after being brought in.

Nolan Smith enters pre-trial diversion program

Smith entered a pre-trial diversion program after entering into plea negotiations with his attorney, Billy Healen, according to Barrow County solicitor general Kyle Sharry.

“Essentially, we use the Pre Trial Program for cases which we believe are not so serious as to require formal conviction,” Sharry said told the Athens Banner-Herald via email. “I personally use these very often for young people.”

Smith’s license had expired just weeks before his arrest, leading to a learning opportunity, according to the star linebacker.

“My license was expired and you’re not supposed to drive with an expired license,” Smith said. “I had to go to the DMV and get everything straightened out. I’m happy I did and you learn from mistakes like that.”

Following SEC Media Days last week, Nolan landed on the media’s preseason All-SEC first team for defense.

Long snapper avoids felony charge

In the days following the national title win, police arrested Bulldogs long snapper William Mote after he allegedly broke a window of a law firm. If the damage was over $500, he faced a felony property damage charge. However, the court determined the damage to be $190.

The Georgia law firm involved, Blassingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, chose not to move forward with the prosecution, resulting in a dismissal of Mote’s charges. He paid the firm the $190 in damages and made apologies, per the Athens Banner-Herald report.