Smith, the third overall pick in the 1999 draft, was pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street downtown at about 2 a.m., police spokesman Bill Robinson said. Smith told the officer he was looking for friends.
Smith, who lives in San Diego, was given a sobriety test and booked into San Diego County jail, Robinson said. He later was released on $1,600 bail.
"If the information is accurate, this is a matter that Akili will have to handle with the proper authorities," Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said.
"It is the club's policy not to comment further on legal charges until such matters are resolved in the courts."
Smith went to San Diego's Lincoln High, which also produced Marcus Allen and Terrell Davis. After playing three years of minor league baseball, he resumed his football career at a local junior college and then finished at Oregon.
Smith lost his starting job to Scott Mitchell after the 10th game last season, when the Bengals finished 4-12 for the second straight season.
The Bengals were 2-8 with Smith as the starter. Smith and Mitchell finished with almost identical passer ratings -- Smith at 52.8, Mitchell at 50.8.
Smith threw for 1,253 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. The Bengals had the NFL's worst passing game and scored a franchise-low 185 points.
The demotion upset Smith, who didn't talk to reporters for the last six weeks of the season.
General manager Mike Brown said Smith isn't guaranteed the starting job next year. Brown hopes to bring back Mitchell, who is a free agent, and bring in at least one more veteran quarterback to compete for the job in training camp.
