Then by your assessment you are saying catching a bank robber in the act has to be put on hold until some US Attorney can ‘rule’ on it?
A bank robber caught in act would be arrested. The USA will decide whether to proceed by filing a criminal complaint or take it to a grand jury for indictment. In either case, the decision to go forth rests with the prosecutor. The key point is the FBI does not take matters to the grand jury nor does it issue indictments.
Then by your assessment you are saying catching a bank robber in the act has to be put on hold until some US Attorney can ‘rule’ on it?
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The agents do the investigating and make the arrest. They then present the evidence in the case to an assistant United States attorney. The assistant analyzes the evidence in the case and decides if the defendant should be prosecuted. This is the the prescribed manner in criminal procedure, but Comey assumed both the investigative and prosecutorial role, which is very unorthodox and just plain wrong.