Originally published April 1, 2010 at 11:20 AM | Page modified April 1, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill pleads guilty to marijuana possession

Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill was sentenced to 12 months probation after pleading guilty to marijuana possession.

Seattle Times staff reporter

Leroy Hill pleaded guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor marijuana possession in Georgia, according to a deputy clerk at the state court of Douglas County.

The Seahawks linebacker will be on 12 months' probation, during which he is subject to random drug and alcohol screenings. He must pay a fine of $500 with an additional $50 in court costs. He must perform 30 hours of community service and participate in an outpatient treatment program within the next 180 days.

Hill was arrested in Georgia in January 2009 after another motorist observed him asleep at an intersection and called 911. A small bag of marijuana was found in a backpack inside the car. Hill also received citations for seat-belt and brakelight violations. Those charges were dismissed Thursday.

Hill, 27, pleaded guilty under the conditional-discharge statute, which means he admitted guilt without the conviction being entered on his record. If he completes the year of probation with no further violations, the original charges will be dropped.

The question now is whether he will be disciplined by the NFL. Even as a first-time offender, Hill could be subjected to a one-game suspension, which is what the Jets' Shaun Ellis received last year after he was arrested for marijuana possession in 2008.

Note

• Restricted free-agent G Rob Sims signed his one-year qualifying offer from the Seahawks, a move required before Sims could be traded.

Sims has started the past two seasons for Seattle, but has been told he is not part of the team's future plans. The Seahawks did not believe he was a fit for the team's zone-blocking scheme going forward under Alex Gibbs.

Seattle tendered him a one-year qualifying offer of $1.1 million in March, thereby putting the team in line to receive compensation for losing Sims. The Bears, Lions and Eagles have all been mentioned as potential suitors for Sims.

Had Sims signed an offer sheet with another team, Seattle would have received a fourth-round pick from that team if it chose not to match.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

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