No-contest plea in Marysville cop biting

A Marysville woman charged with biting a police officer in June pleaded no contest on Wednesday in Yuba County Superior Court to reduced charges and was released from jail.

Amanda L. Simonsen admitted to a felony count of violently resisting a police officer in connection with the June 9 incident in which she was accused of biting the wrist of Marysville Police Officer Terry Baker.

In exchange for her plea, Yuba County prosecutors dropped a more serious felony assault charge and agreed to accept whatever sentence recommended by the Yuba County Probation Department, according to Steven Jones, chief deputy Yuba County district attorney.

"Her criminal history is minimal," Jones told the court. "She's probably a good candidate for probation."

Wearing shackles and a dark green jail jumpsuit, Simonsen quietly replied in the affirmative when asked if she knowingly resisted a police officer in a violent manner in June.

Simonsen asked for the judge's permission to leave the state before sentencing to attend her sister's wedding.

Judge Julia L. Scrogin granted the request, but warned Simonsen against missing her sentencing date next month. Scrogin said that if Simonsen skips out, the plea deal would be void and Simonsen could face up to three years in "local prison."

Under that scenario, Simonsen would be sentenced under the state's prison realignment guidelines and serve her time in the Yuba County Jail.

Simonsen was ordered to appear Sept. 10 for sentencing.