Malik Simmons gets charges deferred

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- North Carolina defensive back Malik Simmons must perform 24 hours of community service after two misdemeanor charges were deferred.

Simmons appeared before Orange County Judge Charles Anderson on Thursday on resisting-arrest and marijuana-possession charges.

Attorney Randy Griffin said that by Feb. 4, Simmons must complete the community service, issue a written apology to the arresting officer and pay court costs.

Simmons was suspended from the team July 24 after his resisting-arrest charge came earlier that week in Chapel Hill. He previously was arrested May 16 on the drug charge.

Coach Larry Fedora announced Simmons' reinstatement Monday, when the Tar Heels began preseason practice, saying he would let the legal process play out but adding that Simmons would face "consequences in the future." Simmons did not practice Thursday.