The United States Attorney’s Office may not consent to a so-called Alford plea except in the most unusual circumstances and only after the Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, or a higher Departmental official, has approved a written request. See JM 9-16.015 and 9-27.440.

Furthermore, if a defendant tenders an Alford plea to fewer than all of the charges and the court accepts it over the Government's objection, the United States Attorney’s Office must proceed to trial on all of the remaining counts that are not barred on double jeopardy grounds, unless the Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, approves dismissal of the remaining charges.

[updated February 2018] [cited in JM 6-2.000]