In November 1861, federal officials arrested three men charged with interfering with the election process after they heckled Unionists at a rally. Opposed to the arbitrary arrests and abuse of civil liberties, Carmichael instructed grand juries to indict the persons who made or abetted such arrests. As a result, Secretary of State William Seward ordered Judge Carmichael's arrest.
In November 1861, federal officials arrested three men for disrupting an election rally by heckling Unionists.  Carmichael disagreed with the arrests and instructed grand juries to indict those who made or aided in such actions. This led to Secretary of State William Seward ordering Judge Carmichael's arrest.