Judge accepts no contest plea to DUI for Las Vegas Raiders player

A judge accepted a no contest plea to a DUI charge Tuesday for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden.

Defense attorney Richard Schonfeld said in court that Snowden, who did not appear before the judge, was pleading no contest to a misdemeanor DUI first offense charge and that adjudication against him would be stayed.

He will be required to stay out of trouble, pay a $1,000 fine and complete a victim impact panel and a coroner’s program, Schonfeld said.

If successful, the charge will be reduced to reckless driving, the lawyer said. If Snowden is not successful, he will be convicted of the DUI and face a six-month suspended sentence.

Prosecutor Eric Bauman confirmed the terms of the plea deal.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure agreed to accept the no contest plea and stay the adjudication. He ordered a suspended jail sentence of up to 180 days, plus a $1,000 fine, DUI school, the victim impact panel and the coroner’s DUI program.

Schonfeld said he already had proof of the DUI school and victim impact panel.

“Mr. Snowden is a fine young man who is looking forward to continuing his career and meeting all the obligations imposed by the court,” said defense lawyer David Chesnoff, who also represented Snowden, after the Tuesday hearing.

Snowden was arrested in December 2024 after police responded to 6408 S. Rainbow Blvd. at about 11:30 p.m. for a complaint of a suspicious vehicle.

There, police found a vehicle that had almost rolled off a 4-foot retaining wall and a man who had passed out in the drivers seat with the engine running, car in neutral and keys in the cup holder, according to a report.

The police report indicated that officers suspected drug use and wanted Snowden screened for meth.

The report said Snowden was unsteady on his feet, had to be held up and smelled of an alcoholic beverage.

Snowden had no identification, and because he wasn’t able to stay awake or answer questions, authorities summoned medical personnel, the Metropolitan Police Department previously said.

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X.