Dakota Access criminal cases wrapping up in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — More than 800 state-level criminal cases stemming from the prolonged protest in North Dakota against the Dakota Access oil pipeline are mostly wrapped up, and the last scheduled trial has concluded.

Katrina Silk, of Mitchell, South Dakota, was convicted Tuesday of obstructing a government function but acquitted of other misdemeanors including rioting. She was given two months of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $325 in fees.

Thousands of pipeline opponents came to North Dakota in 2016 and 2017 to protest the $3.8 billion pipeline, resulting in 761 arrests .

An organization of volunteer attorneys that formed to represent protesters says it has concluded its work. And the Water Protector Legal Collective is shifting focus to other potential battles including the Keystone XL pipeline and President Donald Trump’s southern border wall.