After federal, D.C. errors, defense lawyer tries to get client released with filing reading “Help!!!!”

A woman, Kristal Rios Esquivel, was mistakenly detained for a week after her arrest at the National Zoo for allegedly spitting at a police officer, despite a Justice Department decision not to seek pretrial detention. A judge highlighted systemic errors in the handling of her case, which he termed “false imprisonment,” and noted ongoing issues with the D.C. justice system.

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