8 Right to Work Protesters Dodge Jail Time

8 Right to Work protestors, rescued from jail by a plea deal, were originally charged with assaulting/resisting/obstructing police during a demonstration after Michigan citizens passed their Right To Work Law last year.  Brandon Howell has the story on mlive.com. 

The eight protesters, all from metro Detroit, pleaded guilty at a preliminary hearing Friday before Lansing District Judge Patrick Cherry to attempted resisting and obstructing police, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

“Basically what it means is they come back for sentencing on Sept. 10, 2013 and if they have no problems or other convictions, the judge will sentence them on disorderly conduct,” she said, noting that charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

The plea agreement, though, precludes jail time for the eight.

McCormick said prosecutors offered the plea deal after considering the backgrounds of the eight co-defendants.

Michigan State Police troopers asked the eight to move. Police said they did not oblige, so two troopers sprayed CS gas, a type of tear gas.

“It was attested to me that these tactics went beyond passive resistance, and involved physical aggression towards the police who were charged with protecting the public safety during this tumultuous debate,” Dunnings said in December.

All eight co-defendants entered not-guilty pleas at their arraignment. Each were freed on a $50 bond. Attorney Randall Behrmann, who represents all eight co-defendants, said last month his clients maintained their innocence.

In Michigan, felony assaulting/resisting/obstructing police is punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine.