FSU linebacker Sims pleads no contest to disorderly conduct

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Posted 12:18PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State junior linebacker Ernie Sims will do two days of public service work after pleading no contest Wednesday to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, stemming from a fight last month with his girlfriend. Sims had originally been charged with domestic battery, but that charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and a resisting arrest charge was dropped, prosecutor Stephanie Usina said. The resisting charge was dropped because ``police said he was very remorseful and cooperative'' after his arrest, Usina said. Sims received six months of probation, but it will be lifted as soon as he completes the two days of work for Leon County, Usina said. ``Mr. Sims is pleased with it, I'm pleased with it,'' said Sims' lawyer, Henry Hunter. ``I'm proud to say he's ready for the season, ready to concentrate on school and football. He and his girlfriend are back together... He's a real fine guy.'' Sims, 20, was arrested by Tallahassee police shortly after the July 6 incident with his live-in girlfriend, Brooke McGriff, who refused to press charges. The plea deal allows Sims to have normal contact with McGriff. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has already said that Sims, the Seminoles' second leading tackler last season, will be in the lineup for the Sept. 5 season opener against Miami. Bowden said that since the original charge was a misdemeanor, he would handle Sims' discipline without suspending him. Another Florida State linebacker, A.J. Nicholson, also pleaded no contest earlier this week to a first-offense DUI charge, also a misdemeanor. Nicholson agreed to serve three days in a sheriff's work program and do 50 hours of community service. Nicholson also will have his driver's license suspended for six months, be on probation during that time and attend DUI school and a victim-awareness program. Resisting arrest charges against Nicholson from a separate June arrest were dropped. Bowden has also said that Nicholson won't be suspended and will also play against Miami. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)