The issue focused on allegations that prosecutors illegally prosecuted attorneys accused of misconduct while prosecuting felons and lawyers convicted of ethical violations in criminal cases. Lawyers argued they should have known prosecutors could prosecute those attorneys without judicial oversight.

Opponents claimed prosecutorial misconduct affected prosecutions across the board. Attorney advocacy groups denounced prosecutors as biased against defendants who represented clients accused of felony offenses. Lawyers representing plaintiffs challenging prosecution sought justice from judges but received rulings favoring defendants in civil lawsuits. Lawyers suing federal prosecutors sued prosecutors under statutes granting constitutional rights to