Key Takeaways:

• A DC judge slammed the DOJ for charging simple pot possession in federal court.
• The judge held the man for three days even after admitting no detention was needed.
• Prosecutors seized the suspect’s phone, cutting off legal and personal contact.
• The judge said he had never seen such a misdemeanor in a federal court case.
• This episode highlights the Trump DOJ’s push for aggressive low-level prosecutions.

The Justice Department under President Trump flooded the DC courts with low-level cases. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for DC, led this push. She piled on charges that rarely go this far. As a result, magistrate judges struggled to keep up. Then came one case that broke the camel’s back.

Over recent weeks, many protest and immigration cases were also filed. Prosecutors often wanted heavy penalties. However, grand juries refused to indict many of those cases. So prosecutors had to downgrade them to misdemeanors. This added to the backlog. Meanwhile, judges grew frustrated.

Judge’s Frustration Over Federal Court Filing

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui could hardly believe what he saw. He called the case “unheard of” in a federal court. In fact, he said he had never seen a simple possession charge brought on its own in that setting. He tore into prosecutors for how they handled the case from start to finish.

First, they filed a federal court charge for simple marijuana possession. This is normally a state offense. Yet here it was in federal court. Second, they kept the man locked up for three days. Then, they admitted detention wasn’t needed. Third, they seized his phone. So he could not call a lawyer. He also lost access to his contacts and personal data.

For the judge, this was too much. He wrote that the case “does not seemingly belong in federal court.” He also said “this phone certainly does not belong with federal agents.” His words stung the prosecution team. He made it clear he would not let flimsy cases slide.

A Wave of Low-Level Prosecutions

Under Pirro’s leadership, the DC office saw a spike in minor charges. People were arrested for small protest actions and minor clashes with immigration agents. Many of these complaints were first-degree assault or other serious charges. However, grand juries rejected those charges time after time. That forced prosecutors to switch to misdemeanors. Now magistrate judges see too many of these cases at once.

So far, courts have had to trim the worst charges. Yet the flood of cases still delays the system. Court officers juggle hundreds of new files daily. Defendants wait longer for hearings. Judges grow weary of spending time on matters they see as low priority. In a court designed for federal crimes, this work felt out of place.

Magistrate Judge Faruqui Speaks Out

At a hearing last week, Judge Faruqui did something rare. He spoke frankly to the courtroom. He said the federal court system should focus on serious crimes. He argued that local courts handle small cases much better. His reaction surprised many legal observers.

He pointed out that holding an innocent person for days without proper cause is wrong. Also, taking the man’s phone hurt his defense. Without it, the man could not gather witnesses or review messages. The judge called on prosecutors to think twice before bringing weak cases to federal court.

The judge’s response sent a clear message. He will not tolerate overreach by prosecutors again. He also warned that more judges may push back if the pattern continues.

Why This Matters

This episode tells us several things. First, it shows how politics can shape prosecutions. Jeanine Pirro’s aggressive strategy reflects the administration’s tough-on-crime stance. However, it also risks clogging the courts with minor matters. Second, it reveals tension between federal and local courts. Each has its own role. When one takes on the other’s work, neither runs smoothly.

In addition, it raises questions about fairness. Is it right to hold someone in federal custody for a minor state offense? Should prosecutors seize personal property when the charge is so small? For many observers, the answer is no.

What Happens Next

After the judge’s ruling, the man was released. Prosecutors agreed that detention was not needed. They also gave back his phone. Yet the bigger issue remains. Will the Justice Department slow down its flood of low-level cases? Or will other judges follow Faruqui’s lead and push back?

Some believe this may spark a policy change. Others think the aggressiveness will continue until the next administration arrives. Either way, this fight over federal court boundaries is far from over.

Defendants and lawyers should watch closely. They may find more opportunities to challenge these prosecutions. Meanwhile, court staff will hope for fewer low-level cases so they can focus on serious threats.

FAQs

What makes this marijuana case unusual?

A simple weed possession charge rarely appears on its own in a federal court. Judges see such cases in state courts, not here.

Why did the judge call the charge “unheard of”?

Because federal courts typically handle major crimes. Misdemeanor pot possession is a state-level matter. Seeing it in federal court shocked the judge.

How long was the defendant held?

Prosecutors kept him for three days before admitting he should not stay locked up.

What does this mean for future cases?

Judges may now challenge weak prosecutions more often. Prosecutors might think twice before filing minor charges in federal court.