8 Plead Guilty in Michigan Right-To-Work Protest
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Eight people have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors after being arrested inside the state Capitol building during a December protest against passage of Michigan's right-to-work law.
Their attorney says they won't get jail time under misdemeanor pleas entered Friday to a Lansing district judge. They will be sentenced in September.
The eight defendants from the Detroit area were arrested and charged with felony resisting and obstructing after police said they tried to push past two troopers guarding the Senate door on Dec. 6.
Okemos attorney Randal Behrmann said his clients pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted resisting and obstructing. If they stay out of trouble, the charge will be reduced further to disorderly conduct.
The Michigan State Police said this week they spent an extra $900,000 on overtime and other expenses to have a large presence at the Capitol during December's right-to-work demonstrations. Police said their large show of force prevented lengthy Wisconsin-style protests that could have led to millions more in overtime costs. (More here).
Right-to-work laws end requirements that workers pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.
RELATED: Unions, ACLU Sue To Block Right-To-Work Law
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