Startling Video of Superior Court Protester Arrest Released

California Judicial Branch News Service, an independent, nonprofit news organization, has released exclusive video of the May 1 arrest of Santa Clara County government whistleblower Scott Largent. Veteran San Jose Mercury News court reporter Tracey Kaplan covered the incident:

"SAN JOSE — Responding Tuesday to an order from the presiding judge, Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies reluctantly arrested a man picketing outside a downtown San Jose courthouse for refusing to move across the street.

Scott Largent, who claimed he had a First Amendment right to picket the court on a sidewalk outside the Family Justice Center at First and St. James streets, spent more than five hours in jail in lieu of $6,000 bail after a swarm of bailiffs led him away in handcuffs.

Presiding Judge Patricia Lucas instructed the deputies, who work in the courts as bailiffs, to enforce a general court order issued last year that bars “expressive activity” within 25 feet of the intersection of a court walkway and sidewalk.

Although Largent did not physically fight with the bailiffs, he was initially booked on a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest for verbally protesting when they tried to cuff him, according to a video of the arrest taken by fellow protesters.

But just as fellow protesters were about to pay a bondsman a non-refundable fee of $420 to get Largent out of jail, Sheriff Laurie Smith ordered that he be cited and released on suspicion of violating the court’s general order. The sheriff dropped the resisting arrest charge..."

Full article at the San Jose Mercury News: Santa Clara County Sheriff releases protestor arrested after order from presiding judge.

Watch the video: