in Miami said yesterday he was negotiating a possible plea bargain with footballers' lawyer, Mr. H.T. Smith.

"I am currently in plea negotiations with Mr. Smith,'' Mr. David Weinstein, chief of narcotics of the Dade County Attorney's Office. told The Royal Gazette .

He wouldn't discuss the progress of the negotiations.

Mr. Smith could not be reached for comment yesterday.

One of the players, Shawn Riley, will appear in a Miami court this afternoon where judge Leslie Russenberg will ask if the case has been resolved through plea bargain.

Mr. Weinstein said that was standard procedure.

Judges set a date usually one to two weeks before the trial to determine whether the case could be "plead out'' or if either side needs more time to prepare.

That was to avoid wasting time in an already burdened court system.

A plea bargain is tool common in American courts where a trial is avoided through negotiations between the two sides. It usually involves the defendant admitting a lesser charge in return for a lesser penalty agreed beforehand.

The judge is not obliged to accept the deal.

The players' trial dates are spread out between February 6 and 21, before several different judges, Mr. Weinstein and the Dade County Court clerk's office confirmed yesterday.

But Mr. Weinstein said: "Obviously if we're going to resolve these (through plea bargain), we'll do it all at once.'' Riley, Herbert Dillas and Donnie Charles are to appear for trial on February 6. Meshach Wade's trial is to begin February 13. Keishon Smith and Kevin Jennings are down for trial on February 21.

Tokia Russell, 17, will appear at a juvenile hearing on February 6.

The six adults face charges of importing and possessing about eight pounds of cannabis and could be jailed up to five years if convicted.