LANSING (LANSING STATE JOURNAL) - Eight people arrested during December right-to-work protests at the state Capitol pleaded guilty today to a misdemeanor charge and will not face jail time.

As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, the charge will be further reduced if they stay out of trouble before a September sentence hearing.

Also as part of the agreement, the sentence will not include any jail time.

All eight pleaded guilty in 54A District Court to attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer, which is punishable by up to a year in jail. If they comply with all conditions of their bonds, the charge they pleaded to will be further reduced to disorderly conduct, a 90-day misdemeanor.

They were arrested during protests Dec. 6 as the state House and Senate debated right-to-work legislation. All are from Detroit or suburban Detroit.

Each had faced up to two years in prison on a felony resisting and obstructing charge.

They have been free on $50 cash bonds set after they were arrested.

The eight defendants are Stephen Cousins, Scott Holiday, Chreda Troutman and Benjamin Wilkins, all of Detroit; Joshua Kersting of Southgate; Brett Matthews of Inkster; Eric Noyes of Beverly Hills; and Ida Sinclair-Williams of Pontiac.

Lansing State Journal