Harris County District Attorney’s Office Dismisses Charges Against Protesters
The Harris County District Attorney’s office has taken a unique approach to handling the cases of eight protesters who were arrested during an environmental justice demonstration. Instead of pursuing traditional legal action, the office agreed to dismiss the charges against the protesters in exchange for them writing essays about how to legally fight for social change.
The Arrests and Charges
The protesters were arrested on March 10 during a demonstration at the annual CERAWeek energy industry conference in downtown Houston. They were charged with obstructing a public roadway, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000.
Alternative Resolution Agreements
The defendants entered into alternative resolution agreements with the DA’s office, which required them to write a 1,000-word essay and donate $100 to a charity of their choice. Once they met the requirements of the agreement, the misdemeanor charges against them were dropped. This approach is unusual, as it focuses on education and community engagement rather than punishment.
The Essay Requirement
The idea of requiring the protesters to write an essay was a novel one, and it is unclear whether it was first proposed by the defense attorney or the DA’s office. Brian Harrison, the defense attorney for several of the protesters, noted that he had never had a request for a defendant to write an essay before. The essays were reviewed by the DA’s office, and one was even challenged for allegedly not meeting the requirements.
The DA’s Office Priorities
The decision to dismiss the charges against the protesters in exchange for their essays raises questions about the DA’s office priorities. Are they focusing on fighting crimes that have actual victims, or are they prioritizing the prosecution of political cases? The DA’s office did not respond to a request for comment, leaving the motivations behind their decision unclear.
Conclusion
The dismissal of charges against the eight protesters in exchange for their essays is a unique approach to handling cases of this nature. While it may raise questions about the DA’s office priorities, it also highlights the importance of education and community engagement in promoting social change. By requiring the protesters to write about how to legally fight for social change, the DA’s office is encouraging them to think critically about their actions and to consider the impact they can have through peaceful and lawful means. Ultimately, this approach may be more effective in promoting positive change than traditional punishment, and it will be interesting to see if it is used in similar cases in the future.
