Key facts
- All felony charges against five Stanford University students related to a pro-Palestine protest have been dropped.
- The students will complete 100 hours of community service and pay approximately $52,000 in restitution.
- The charges stemmed from an occupation of the university president's office in June 2024.
- The California attorney general's office reached the resolution with the students.
- Three students who previously accepted misdemeanor pleas will have convictions withdrawn upon completing community service.
Charges against five Stanford University students in connection with a pro-Palestine protest have been dropped, concluding a legal process that began in June 2024. The students will perform 100 hours of community service each and pay approximately $52,000 in combined restitution to the university.
The charges stemmed from an occupation of the university president's office, which protesters had renamed "Dr. Adnan's Office" after a Palestinian doctor who died in Israeli prison. The university stated the building sustained "extensive" damage. Initially, 12 protesters were charged with felony vandalism, but seven accepted plea deals or diversion programs. A mistrial was declared in February for the remaining five students after jurors could not reach a verdict.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney, Jeff Rosen, had announced his intention to seek a new trial, but his office was later removed from the case due to concerns over his remarks and use of the case for re-election fundraising. The California attorney general's office then took over the case and reached the resolution. Three other students who had previously accepted misdemeanor pleas will also have their convictions withdrawn upon completing their required community service.