Misdemeanor Charge Dropped Against Indybay Journalist Who Documented Highway Blockade

The office of District Attorney Jeff Rosell charged Darocy with violation of Vehicle Code section 2800(a), failing or refusing to comply with a lawful order of a peace officer (a misdemeanor), and violation of Vehicle Code section 21718(a), stopping on a freeway (an infraction).

It looked like the case was going to trial.

It wasn't until October 19 that Darocy was able to reach a plea deal with the Santa Cruz District Attorney's Office. Darocy agreed to plead "no contest" to the infraction in exchange for the misdemeanor charge being dropped.

"I'd like to thank my attorney George Gigarjian for his excellent work on this case. He was dedicated to helping me fight this charge, and advanced a vigorous defense for over a year and a half," Darocy said.

On January 8 of this year the Santa Cruz Chapter of the ACLU issued a letter in support of Darocy.

"We wish to express our grave concern about the chilling effect this prosecution may have on constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press as applied to Mr. Darocy individually and on members of a free and open press as a whole," the ACLU letter read.


For more background on the case, see:

Indybay Journalist Faces Prosecution for Documenting UCSC Highway Blockade
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/11/10/18779847.php

Santa Cruz ACLU Issues Letter in Support of Indybay's Alex Darocy
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/13/18781761.php


Alex Darocy's original coverage of the highway blockade:

UCSC Students Block Traffic and Shut Down Highway One in Santa Cruz
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/03/04/18769513.php


Indybay's feature on the 96 Hours of Action protests:

Students Shut Down Santa Cruz Highways and UCSC Campus During 96 Hours of Action
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/03/11/18769794.php


Alex Darocy
http://alexdarocy.blogspot.com/