ALBANY, N.Y. -- Albany County District Attorney David Soares announced that 88 cases stemming from arrests during Occupy Albany have been dismissed.

The defendants were originally charged in November of 2011 with disorderly conduct and trespass for demonstrations that took place in Academy Park and Lafayette Park in downtown Albany.

Soares said the D.A.'s office decided not to prosecute these cases because the conduct of the defendants was not meant to be violent or cause any damage to property.

These 88 arrests, however, do not include the arrests from the day the encampment was cleared.

"People have the right to let their voices be heard in the Capitol City. Barring violence to people or damage to property, we will continue to support our citizens in the exercise of free speech," said Soares, defending the decision.