U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli expressed frustration after a grand jury declined to indict an individual linked to protests against immigration raids. He insisted that prosecutors disregard guidelines from the federal Justice Manual and push for indictments imposed by higher authorities. His office has filed felony cases against 38 individuals related to protest misconduct, but many have been dismissed or changed to misdemeanors. Prosecutors faced challenges convincing grand juries to advance cases, leading to multiple dismissals and a low success rate for obtaining indictments.
"Essayli told a subordinate to disregard the federal government's 'Justice Manual,' which directs prosecutors to only bring cases they can win at trial."
"While his office has filed felony cases against at least 38 people for alleged misconduct during protests, many have already been dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges."
"Prosecutors have struggled to get several protest-related cases past grand juries, which need only to find probable cause that a crime has been committed to move forward."
"Five cases have been dismissed without prejudice and nine have been filed as misdemeanors, which do not require a grand jury indictment."
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