L.A. Prosecutors Face Losses in Protest Cases

Federal judges criticize 'amateur' handling of cases by U.S. Attorney's office.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a gavel on a wooden table, the harsh flash creating dramatic shadows and textures that convey a sense of judicial scrutiny and legal proceedings.Harsh courtroom criticism of prosecutors' handling of protest cases exposes deeper issues within the U.S. Attorney's office.Los Angeles Today

In two separate courtrooms in a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office faced harsh criticism from federal judges over their handling of cases related to recent protests in the city.

Why it matters

The losses in these protest-related cases raise concerns about the competence and preparedness of the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles to prosecute high-profile, politically-charged cases, which could undermine public trust in the justice system.

The details

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. berated prosecutors in his courtroom over their handling of a case, calling it 'amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office'. In a separate courtroom, another federal judge also criticized prosecutors for their performance in a different protest-related case.

  • The incidents occurred on Wednesday, April 3, 2026 in a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

The players

U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr.

A federal judge presiding over one of the protest-related cases in which prosecutors faced criticism.

U.S. Attorney's Office

The federal prosecutorial office in Los Angeles that is handling the protest-related cases.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office”

— U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr.

The takeaway

The losses in these protest cases raise serious questions about the competence and preparedness of the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles to handle high-profile, politically-charged prosecutions, which could undermine public trust in the justice system if the trend continues.