A Missouri judge issued an arrest warrant for Jill Stein on Monday. She failed to show up for her scheduled court hearing that morning. St. Louis Associate Circuit Judge Karma Johnson signed the order quickly. The warrant was meant to bring Stein back to face criminal charges.
Stein is the Green Party candidate who ran for president three times. She missed her 9 a.m. appearance regarding charges from a protest last year. The judge withdrew the warrant later that same day after Stein’s lawyer arrived. Stein’s defense counsel appeared before the court to explain the absence. The judge then dropped the order and set a new hearing date.
The legal trouble started during a chaotic protest in April 2024. Stein and others marched at Washington University in St. Louis. They set up tents in the John M. Olin Library on campus. Police warned the group they would be arrested for trespassing. The protesters locked arms and yelled “hold the line” as officers moved in. Court documents state Stein grabbed a police officer’s bicycle. The bike struck another officer in the arm while he held it. Stein allegedly kicked the first officer multiple times in the leg and groin area.
Stein faces one count of first-degree trespassing and one count of fourth-degree assault. The officer identified as Moore suffered a strained left forearm. He also had a contusion on the back of his right leg. Medical records show he received a testicular contusion from the incident. These injuries were diagnosed when the officer sought medical treatment. The New York Post reported on the details of the assault charges. The Washington Examiner confirmed the timeline of the warrant issuance and withdrawal. Stein was one of dozens arrested during that April 27 event.
Her campaign manager, Jason Call, and deputy, Kelly Merrill-Caye, were also arrested. They were among the group busted during the demonstration. Stein has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights since then. She repeatedly called Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide.” She is Jewish herself and ran on a pro-Gaza platform. In the 2024 election, she won about 0.56% of the popular vote. She campaigned heavily on climate issues and foreign policy views.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith addressed the charges last year. She stated the misdemeanor charges were not a statement on free speech. “I want to make it clear that these misdemeanor criminal charges are not a statement about the freedoms of speech or assembly, which we honor and uphold as part of our Constitution,” Smith said. She added that the charges did not target the protest’s subject matter. Smith noted the case reflects the evidence to prove the criminal charges.
A new criminal hearing is now scheduled for September 14. The court filing includes a specific note about future appearances. It reads “warrant to issue if Defendant fails to appear.” This warning applies directly to Stein for the upcoming date. Stein’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Washington Examiner contacted her office for a statement on the matter. The case hinges on whether she shows up for the next court date. The judge has made it clear that missing this one brings the warrant back.
