[Steve_Seattle]

"The bogus misdemeanor pleas are to prevent lawsuits."

I don't follow that. Lawsuits by whom? For what? My own take is that they plead guilty to these lesser charges because the trespassing/disorderly conduct law is so broad and ambiguous, and the DC venue so hostile, that they aren't sure they can win, so rather than have enormous legal costs for a lengthy defense, they plead guilty just to get it over with.

[Gene Eric]

Good points regarding practicality.

[pierrem15]

If Straka were to be acquitted or have the charges dismissed, I would assume he could sue DOJ for false arrest and malicious prosecution or some other tort.