Prosecutors have the authority to dismiss criminal charges or end pretrial supervision when they determine the available evidence is insufficient to support continued prosecution.
November 21, 2025
high
procedural
Dismissal for insufficient evidence is a routine prosecutorial decision point in criminal cases.
An Attorney General can retroactively ratify indictments or designate a 'special attorney' to address doubts about the validity of an interim U.S. attorney's appointment.
high
legal
Describes prosecutorial remedies used to cure or avoid questions about the validity of charging decisions tied to appointment issues.
The Department of Justice can appoint or designate a special prosecutor to assist with or conduct particular investigations.
high
procedural
Special prosecutors are sometimes used to handle sensitive or potentially conflicted matters within the DOJ.