If you were arrested for protest curfew violations, Miami prosecutors won’t press charges
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday it won’t prosecute people arrested for curfew violations during recent protests against police brutality.
For over a week, largely peaceful protests have unfolded across South Florida, with few clashes outside of some on the night of May 30 in Downtown Miami. Still, in the first couple days, there were over 100 arrests, almost all for misdemeanor curfew violations and failing to disperse.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez had instituted a series of curfews in an effort to curb civil unrest on the streets. But the curfew arrests netted many who said they weren’t involved in inciting violence. One man told the Miami Herald that he wasn’t even a protester and was arrested when he walked outside his Miami apartment building to let in some friends.
Few in the legal community expected the charges to stick.
“At this present point, I see no value in prosecuting these individuals and plan to drop all of their cases in the absence of aggravating circumstances,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Together, we can work to make Miami-Dade County a safe, secure and respectful community for all and a place where everyone’s voices are heard and valued.”
She added: “During the past couple of weeks, people have taken to the streets to advocate for change in mostly peaceful and non-violent protests. This is their right and I join them in their calls for reforms consistent with our commitment to smart, equal, and fair justice.”
So far, prosecutors say, 79 people have been arrested for curfew violations. Three have been dropped already, including one high-profile case. Miami-Dade police arrested WSVN-7 social-media producer Joel Franco, who had been covering the protests for the station, and was jailed even though he had a press pass. Media members are specifically exempted from the curfew.
(Franco has since been let go from WSVN after allegations surfaced on Twitter about misconduct with young women).
Miami-Dade County has now ended curfews relating to the protests, and earlier ones related to the coronavirus shutdown. Delayed by more than a week, Miami-Dade’s beaches will reopen Wednesday after the county’s mayor said he’s ending the curfew.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 11:19 AM.