In a story that could only happen in San Francisco, charges have been dismissed against Martin Moulton — the man who allegedly stripped down at a Bob Weir event at Civic Center Plaza and ended up in a confrontation with park rangers.

Moulton had been accused of spitting on park rangers during the incident, which also reportedly involved him being choked by officers. A judge has now tossed the case entirely.

Let's unpack this, because there are actually two issues here that matter — and neither of them is whether you personally want to see a naked dude at a Grateful Dead side project show.

First: if the charges couldn't hold up in court, why were they brought in the first place? Prosecuting cases that collapse on contact with a judge isn't just embarrassing — it's a waste of taxpayer money. Every hour a prosecutor spends on a case that gets tossed is an hour not spent on the property crimes, car break-ins, and retail thefts that San Franciscans actually lose sleep over. Our justice system has finite resources. Spending them poorly is a choice.

Second: the use-of-force question. Reports indicate Moulton was choked during the confrontation. Whether you think public nudity is a harmless quirk of SF culture or a genuine quality-of-life issue, choking a non-violent offender is a disproportionate response. Park rangers aren't supposed to be operating like they're subduing a violent felon. If the force used was excessive, that needs accountability too.

This is the kind of case that makes everyone look bad. The nudist gets arrested, the rangers allegedly use excessive force, the DA's office brings charges that don't stick, and the taxpayers foot the bill for the entire circus. Meanwhile, Civic Center Plaza — already one of the city's most troubled public spaces — adds another chapter to its colorful, depressing résumé.

San Francisco doesn't need more dropped cases. It needs smarter priorities.