Judges Generally Let Prosecutors Drop Charges. Maybe Not for Adams.

Last updated: February 15, 2025 5:05 am

3 Min Read

Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Your support is appreciated!

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

Judge Dale E. Ho will weigh the request after the resignation of Manhattan’s U.S. attorney and her accusations of misconduct.

Credit… Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Published Feb. 14, 2025 Updated Feb. 15, 2025, 12:05 a.m. ET Federal judges have almost no ability under the law to refuse a government request to drop criminal charges. The corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams of New York may be the exception.

On Thursday, Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle R. Sassoon, resigned rather than obey an order to seek dismissal of the charges against the mayor. The directive was issued by Emil Bove III, the acting No. 2 official in President Trump’s Justice Department and his former criminal lawyer.

Mr. Bove wrote that the demand had nothing to do with the strength of the evidence against the mayor or legal theories in the case. Rather, he said the charges would interfere with Mr. Adams’s ability “to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies” of the Biden administration.

After Ms. Sassoon’s resignation as head of the Southern District of New York and those of at least seven Justice Department officials, Mr. Bove himself signed a motion on Friday asking the judge to dismiss the case.

It remains to be seen how the judge, Dale E. Ho of Federal District Court in Manhattan, will respond.

“Judge Ho could say this is a politically motivated decision and it affronts the grand jury process and the integrity of the court,” said Stephen Gillers, a professor of legal ethics at New York University School of Law.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT