Barr’s whole job application was to convince the president he couldn’t be prosecuted for anything.
Climbing the food chain involves immunity sometimes which is a decision by the DA not to charge the individual and need not end in a conviction. If the DA determines that it furthers his case substantially and his case is far weaker without it, he can and often does grant immunity. No attorney is going to let his client testify for the DA and leave the immunity in the hands of a jury.
Reduced sentences are often offered but also reduced charges. A DA doesn’t have to file all the charges. He can throw the more serious ones out or a felony charge can be brought as a lesser misdemeanor.
None of this means they are corrupt or not doing their jobs. It means the law gives them significant leeway.
