I think the sympathy with the defence was really not required. Why put the lawyer with the government in the good light with that? I really see no sense in making him come out as a good guy. The FBI agent that seduced the protestor wasn't required either. You would think that these revolutionaries are smart but he was depicted as a fool by that. Apart from that the FBI girl contradicted the fascism in America as at one point you can see them yelling her to make a sandwich and at other point a woman being an agent. I know that it women got recruited way before in 1922 but still that really seemed unnecessary.
Overall a great film, I really hadn't watched a good film in a while so I really enjoyed this one. I liked the authenticity and seriousness depicted. Loved Sacha Baron's acting. He really is one of the greatest actors in the world!