Charges against pro-Palestinian Stanford protesters to be dismissed

The charges against five former and current Stanford University students involved in a 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration will be dropped, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office. The students will be required to complete 100 hours of community service each and pay around $52,000 in restitution to the university.

Santa Clara County Deputy Public Defender Avi Singh, who represented one of the defendants, confirmed that all have completed restitution and agreed to additional community service. The case was declared a mistrial in February after jurors could not reach a verdict. Initially, twelve protesters were charged with felony vandalism, with seven accepting plea deals or diversion programs.

Prosecutors claimed at the time that at least one suspect broke a window to enter the building. Police arrested thirteen people on June 5, 2024, and the university reported extensive damage. The charges were among the most severe against participants in the 2024 pro-Palestinian protest movement across US colleges, with over three thousand arrests reported during the movement.

Some students faced suspension, expulsion, and degree revocation. Following the mistrial, District Attorney Jeff Rosen indicated a desire for a new trial, but defense attorneys successfully argued for the removal of his office from the case due to concerns, including his past remarks. The California Attorney-General's Office subsequently took over the case.