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Notes -
"In the interests of justice" isn't a judge thing, it's prosecutor-speak. That's the language they use when they file a motion to dismiss a case. It's intentionally vague because it can mean many different things.
It could be "there is new evidence indicating this defendant is innocent and we fucked up badly by charging him," "this case is going to fall apart because the victim is no longer cooperating," "the victim disappeared so we need more time to try to locate them and maybe we'll refile if they're found," "there is now a newly elected DA who doesn't want to waste time on a case this small," or "this case is now politically toxic and we want it to go away." Or dozens of other options.
Judges don't question the motion because regardless of the true reasons, if a prosecutor doesn't want to pursue a case, then practically speaking it's dead because there has to be a prosecutor for the case to proceed. The judge grants the dismissal (usually without prejudice meaning it can be re-filed if necessary) and everyone goes to work on other cases.
Right, I should add judges and lawyers.
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