How can I get the elements without a particular attribute by jQuery

If your code example is the exact code you're using, I think the problem is an errant space.

$("#para :not([attr_all])")

should be

$("#para:not([attr_all])")

If you leave a space in there, it selects descendants of #para.

First thing that comes to my mind (maybe sub optimal) :

$('p').filter(function(){
    return !$(this).attr('attr_all');
});

However p:not([attr_all]) should work, so I think something else is going on in your code.

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