The judge should really get a clue. Those buried in Arlington fought and died for our constitutional rights such as freedom of the press. If the man wasn't guilty of any other crimes, then there is no way he should have had the book thrown at him for non violent resistance. He never should have been arrested in the first place. He is the one whose rights were violated. I don't think he should have gotten off completely, but when the prosecutor is asking for the minimum, that is all he should have gotten. If anyone should be paying a fine, it should be the department for the poor training of their personnel when it comes to the rights of citizens.

Still... He wasn't given probation for photographing, he was given it for resisting arrest. Obviously they shouldn't have arrested him, but he should have gone peacefully. As for the sentence, that's up to one's own opinion I guess. Personally I agree with you there.