Defense Attorney Seeks Clarity on Crosswalk Chalk Criminal Cases

Clients' cases in 'limbo' as state attorney's office reviews charges

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:05pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a section of a crosswalk covered in colorful chalk markings, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent wave of crosswalk chalking protests in Orlando has exposed tensions over the boundaries of free expression and civil disobedience.Today in Orlando

The defense attorney representing two people arrested for covering the crosswalk outside Pulse in Orlando with chalk says his clients' cases are in a state of uncertainty, as the state attorney's office has not yet decided whether to file formal charges against them.

Why it matters

The arrests of James Houchins and Maryjane East for using chalk on the crosswalk have raised questions about the criminalization of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, as well as the role of law enforcement and prosecutors in addressing such acts.

The details

Joshua Sinclair, the defense attorney for Houchins and East, says his clients were arrested on charges of criminal mischief for allegedly interfering with a traffic control device by covering the crosswalk in chalk. However, Sinclair argues that using water-soluble chalk does not actually affect the function of the crosswalk. The state attorney's office has not yet decided whether to file formal charges, leaving Houchins and East in a precarious situation as they wait for a resolution.

  • Maryjane East was arrested in August 2026.
  • James Houchins was arrested in November 2026.

The players

Joshua Sinclair

The defense attorney representing James Houchins and Maryjane East, the two people arrested for covering the crosswalk in chalk.

James Houchins

One of the two people arrested for covering the crosswalk in chalk outside Pulse in Orlando.

Maryjane East

One of the two people arrested for covering the crosswalk in chalk outside Pulse in Orlando.

Monique Worrell

The state attorney whose office is reviewing whether to file formal charges against Houchins and East.

Florida Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency that arrested Houchins and East for covering the crosswalk in chalk.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, the case is kind of in limbo.”

— Joshua Sinclair, Defense Attorney

“They're going under, I think, a theory that you're kind of defacing or altering the crosswalk. And using water-soluble chalk--especially if you're just chalking inside the white lines--you're not really affecting the function of the crosswalk. It's not really altering or defacing it.”

— Joshua Sinclair, Defense Attorney

“It definitely can affect your ability to find work and get a job.”

— Joshua Sinclair, Defense Attorney

What’s next

The state attorney's office has stated that it is working to bring the matter to a resolution, but no final charging decision has been made at this time. The defense attorney is also seeking clarity on whether law enforcement agencies are still treating the act of covering the crosswalk in chalk as a crime.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the criminalization of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, as well as the role of law enforcement and prosecutors in addressing such acts. The prolonged uncertainty faced by Houchins and East underscores the need for clear and consistent policies regarding the use of public spaces for expressive purposes.