Associated Press

MIAMI - San Francisco 49ers cornerback Mike Rumph rejected a plea agreement Monday and opted to face trial on charges of driving drunk last July.

Rumph turned down the plea deal usually offered to first-time offenders that would have kept him out of jail. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Beth Bloom told Rumph before jury selection that if convicted he could be sentenced to a maximum of six months in jail followed by a year of probation.

Rumph, 23, told the judge he was aware of the possible penalties. He has maintained his innocence.

Miami Beach police say they stopped Rumph's vehicle at 4:20 a.m on July 6, then gave him a field sobriety test that he failed. He was charged with driving under the influence after failing a breathalyzer test.

Rumph's blood-alcohol level was .091. Under Florida law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above .08. Rumph pleaded innocent last August.

The former University of Miami star had no prior criminal record. State attorneys said they were prepared to offer him the minimum penalty required by state law, which includes a six-month driver license suspension, six months probation, $729 in fines and 50 hours of community service.

Jury selection began Monday and the trial was expected to last two days.

Edward O'Donnell III, Rumph's lawyer, said if Rumph is convicted he would ask the judge for a stay on any jail sentence pending appeal. Bloom replied that it was premature to consider any such request now.

Rumph had 41 tackles and one forced fumble in 16 games with the 49ers. He was a key member of Miami's 2001 national championship team and was selected as the first-round choice of the 49ers in the 2002 NFL draft, signing a five-year, $6.4 million contract.

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