A leading candidate to become New York City�s next mayor had to take time off from the campaign trail Tuesday to appear in court on a civil disobedience charge.

Bill de Blasio appeared before a Manhattan judge along with City Councilman Stephen Levin and other people arrested last month at a demonstration against the planned closure of a Brooklyn hospital.

After a short wait in line with other defendants facing minor charges, the Democrat and other demonstrators were assigned to a program that will lead to their cases being dismissed if they stay out of trouble.

De Blasio, the city�s public advocate, has been trying to save Long Island College Hospital, a well-regarded but financially troubled medical center not far from his Brooklyn home. It is part of a state-owned hospital system.

�Civil disobedience is something you use when the normal governmental process isn�t functioning,� de Blasio said after his court appearance. �I came to the conclusion that something more dramatic had to be done to bring attention to the issue.�

After polling in the middle of the Democratic pack for months, de Blasio had a slight lead in one poll last week. Another poll had him tied with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

(AP)