Decatur, AL (Sports Network) - Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was found guilty of four criminal charges in Decatur Municipal Court on Thursday and sentenced to 180 days in jail.

However, McClain's lawyer filed an appeal that said the verdict was "meaningless," according to The Huntsville Times, and ESPN reported that the attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said "the process starts all over" under state law because McClain has requested a jury trial.

The linebacker was found guilty by a judge of menacing, reckless endangerment, third-degree assault and discharging a gun in the city limits following an altercation last Nov. 30 in the player's hometown in which a man said he begged McClain not to shoot him.

McClain, who played football at Decatur High School and then Alabama, was arrested and charged with the four misdemeanors after allegedly firing a gun next to the victim's head.

According to police, the linebacker approached the victim, Rishard Tapscott, who was in a fight at a residence with another man and had crawled to his car. McClain aimed the pistol at the victim and put it to his head while he was still on the ground.

The police said Tapscott begged McClain not to shoot him, but the linebacker held the gun next to his ear and fired it.

Another man, Jarodiaus Willingham, was also charged with assault in the case.

McClain was the No. 8 overall draft pick in 2010 and has made 184 tackles with 5 1/2 sacks and one interception in 30 games for the Raiders. He won the 2009 Butkus Award as the country's top linebacker and helped the Crimson Tide win the BCS National Championship.

05/17 18:17:05 ET