It used to be so innocent, the way Koren Robinson would habitually show up late for Seahawks team meetings during his rookie NFL season, 2001.

But the problem continued. And it wasn't just his tardiness. Four years later, suspension, humiliation and even rehabilitation for alcohol abuse — plus Robinson's public acknowledgments of his problem and the promises to not take his opportunity to be in the NFL for granted — never seemed to be enough.

Robinson is in trouble again, and he might have run out of second chances with the Seahawks.

Today, or very soon, the athletically gifted wide receiver could be released because of his latest transgression. Robinson, 25, was arraigned Tuesday in Kirkland Municipal Court on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving that stemmed from an incident early on the morning of May 6.

Robinson pleaded not guilty to both charges and is scheduled to stand before Judge Albert Raines at a pre-trial hearing on July 18.

Robinson was arrested just after 3:30 a.m. on May 6 after Medina police officer David Obermiller stopped him for excessive speeding and unsafe lane travel eastbound on SR 520. Obermiller, according to a statement from Medina police, smelled alcohol on Robinson's breath and asked him to take a field sobriety test.

Robinson was cooperative, police said, then was arrested after he failed the test. He was taken to the Kirkland police station and was charged and released to a friend on $1,000 bail.

The former first-round draft pick has a long history with law enforcement in his native North Carolina, establishing a pattern that pre-dates his arrival in Seattle.

Charges dismissed by prosecutors since 1998 include first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree sex offense, discharge of a firearm in the city, carrying a concealed weapon, driving while license revoked, no operator's license, operating a vehicle with no insurance and failure to disperse on command.

Robinson was never convicted of any of these crimes, nor were any of the charges ever taken to trial.

The most serious of his arrests occurred in April of 1998. According to a North Carolina police report, Robinson was arrested on suspicion of "kidnapping a person under the age of 16 years, by unlawfully confining for the purpose of committing a felony, first-degree sex offense. (The victim) was not released in a safe place."

Police charged Robinson with an attempted first-degree sex offense, first-degree kidnapping and discharging a firearm in the city. Charges were dropped because, according to the report, police were "unable to locate the prosecuting witness."

On March 19, 2002, Robinson was pulled over on his 22nd birthday in North Carolina for driving 90 miles per hour in a 60-mph zone. The police report lists his blood alcohol level at .16, but police charged Robinson only with exceeding safe speed. The report lists the verdict as "responsible" and Robinson paid $90 in court costs and a $10 fine.

The most recent case against Robinson in North Carolina came after he was arrested by the Raleigh police on March 14, 2003, for carrying a concealed weapon. That case was dismissed.

In Kirkland, Medina prosecuting attorney Russell Joe would not say what Robinson's blood alcohol level was when he was arrested in May, but that the penalty he seeks to have enforced is consistent with a 0.15 content. If convicted of the DUI, Robinson faces a mandatory sentence of 48 hours in jail or no less than 30 days of electronic home monitoring and a fine of up to $5,000. The maximum for conviction on a reckless driving charge is one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Jon Scott Fox, his attorney, released a statement that said Robinson is "cooperating fully" and "remains entitled to the presumption of innocence afforded to all citizens while this case is pending."

On April 30, during the Seahawks' first offseason minicamp, Robinson showed remorse for his drinking and partying lifestyle and admitted he was in rehabilitation for alcohol abuse.

"You want to be in the NFL, or you don't," he said. "And I do. So I gotta do everything I got to do to stay here. I'm not going to be one of the players people talk about where he had the potential to be a great player or whatever but he had this, that and the third, so many distractions."

In 2003, Robinson was suspended for one game for being late to another meeting. Last season, he was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, which includes alcohol abuse. The Seahawks also benched Robinson for two more games for violating team rules.

Through it all, coaches, teammates and front office staff pledged their support for Robinson. Robinson seemed to know his Seahawks career was hanging by a thread, dependent on him getting through rehabilitation and focusing on football. He told reporters that his mother, Suzette, was moving to the area to be with him.

Suzette Robinson did not return phone calls yesterday, nor did Robinson's agent, Alvin Keels.

The Seahawks also released a statement yesterday, saying that they are "extremely disappointed and concerned with Koren's situation. We have established several programs, both league- and team-sponsored, to support and help him. We will continue to encourage him to use this support network and believe he should be held accountable for his actions."

League policy prohibits the team from commenting on the specifics of an individual case, or his standing within the league's various programs.

Today is the day the Seahawks can release players and not take as big a hit against future salary caps. Robinson was purported to be a candidate to be released regardless of the recent charges.

The team has plenty of options at wide receiver if Robinson is released. Free agents Joe Jurevicius and Jerome Pathon were brought in for their sure hands, and the team is overloaded at the position.

The Seahawks also need salary-cap space to make a run at free agent defensive end Peter Boulware, who is still on the market though several teams are interested in the four-time Pro Bowler. Veteran cornerback Bobby Taylor, who missed half of last season because of injury, is also expected to be released to save money.

Robinson is due $1.35 million in salary this season, but his cap number is about $2.55 million because of bonuses received in previous years.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com; Greg Bishop: 206-464-3191 or gbishop@seattletimes.com