You don't have to be convicted to be punished. They knew that these charges wouldn't fly, but harassing someone, arresting them and forcing them to show up in c

You don't have to be convicted to be punished. They knew that these charges wouldn't fly, but harassing someone, arresting them and forcing them to show up in court is still a massive burden on an individual and a drain of their money. The mistake is assuming that the punishment begins upon conviction when going through the legal system is often punishment enough and a big chilling effect on free speech.