King County prosecutor not filing charges from arrests made during clearance of CHOP
Jul 3, 2020, 1:00 PM | Updated: Jul 6, 2020, 8:43 am
Seattle police reported at least 23 arrests Wednesday morning. (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
The King County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that it has not filed criminal charges against anyone arrested during the clearance of the CHOP earlier in the week.
Seattle City Attorney will not file charges against peaceful protesters
“The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has not charged non-violent protesters, and we have no plans to do so,” it said in a written statement. “Our position hasn’t changed since the first protests in response to the murder of George Floyd.”
“None of the CHOP clearing arrests have led to criminal charges from our office,” the statement added.
This is the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office statement on not filing charges against non-violent protesters. Our position has not changed. pic.twitter.com/n9ZDBeVuz7
— King Co Prosecutor (@KCProsecutor) July 3, 2020
Police made several arrests after ordering CHOP protesters to clear out of the area early Wednesday morning. Combined between those and arrests made in subsequent demonstrations over the last two days, SPD has arrested over 70 people. Charges have ranged from failure to disperse to assault.
Seattle police reopen 12th and Pine amid ongoing protests
The prosecutor’s statement clarified that those arrested during protests typically are put before a judge within 48 hours for a bail hearing, while “most see a judge in less than 24 hours.”
In total, the King County prosecutor has charged 10 protest-related cases since May between Seattle and Bellevue. Six involved a gun charge, three were burglary cases, and one was for an alleged hate crime. There were three cases charged while the CHOP was still active: burglary, burglary and assault, and reckless burning.
