In Georgia Case Against Trump, a Trial as Soon as March Could Be a Stretch
The prosecutor in the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and 18 allies is hoping for a speedy trial, but experts have their doubts. Fani T. Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, announced on Monday that she hoped the case could go to trial in about six months. However, given the complexity of racketeering cases and the schedules of three other criminal cases that Trump is already facing, many experts believe that a trial as soon as March could be a stretch.
With 19 defendants and a fleet of attorneys, the path forward is expected to be challenging. One defendant, Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, has already filed a motion to move the case to federal court. Trump himself has a history of using delay tactics in his legal battles, and he is likely to file pretrial motions to get the case thrown out or moved to federal court. Additionally, the judge may determine that six months is not enough time for defense lawyers to prepare for a trial involving so many defendants and 41 total charges.
John B. Meixner Jr., an assistant law professor at the University of Georgia, stated that a six-month timeline for a case like this is “a very aggressive timeline.” However, prosecutors and the judge may be motivated to resolve the case ahead of the 2024 election. On the other hand, if the case is still ongoing and Trump were to win the 2024 election, questions would arise about whether a sitting president can be tried for a state criminal offense.
The defense in the Trump case is expected to argue that they need as much time to build their case as Willis took to build hers. The paramount obligation, according to Jeffrey E. Grell, a Minneapolis lawyer specializing in RICO cases, is to protect the defendant’s due process rights.
Willis, a Democrat who took office in 2021, launched her investigation into election interference in Georgia shortly thereafter. Some critics argue that handling the Trump case has caused her office to lose sight of more traditional priorities, such as prosecuting murders. However, Willis has stated that her office can handle multiple cases simultaneously.
Gerald A. Griggs, a trial lawyer and president of the Georgia N.A.A.C.P., believes that Willis’s experience navigating complex RICO cases will help move the process along. He describes her as one of Georgia’s most talented prosecutors and believes that people are underestimating her skills as a trial attorney.
The trial date for the racketeering case against Trump and his allies is still uncertain, but it is clear that the path to trial will not be easy.
How likely is it that the trial will commence by March given the complexity of the case and Trump’s history of employing delay tactics
So it wouldn’t be surprising if his legal team tried to prolong the process.
Racketeering cases are notoriously complex and can take a long time to build and develop. The prosecution will need to gather a substantial amount of evidence and establish a strong case against all 19 defendants. This process alone can be time-consuming and may require cooperation from multiple jurisdictions.
Additionally, Trump is currently facing three other criminal cases, including charges of tax fraud and obstruction of justice. These cases are already placing a strain on the court system, and scheduling conflicts may further delay the trial in the Georgia case.
Experts are skeptical that a trial as soon as March could be feasible, given the sheer magnitude of the case, the number of defendants involved, and Trump’s history of employing delay tactics. It is likely that the trial will take much longer to commence, potentially stretching beyond the initial timeline suggested by the prosecutor.
While Fani T. Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, is eager to move the case forward swiftly, the realities of the legal process and the specific circumstances surrounding this case make a trial in March a challenging proposition.
Ultimately, the timeline for the trial will depend on various factors, including the availability of witnesses, the complexity of the evidence, and any legal arguments or motions that may arise. It may be some time before the case reaches the courtroom, and only then will the full extent of the legal battle against Trump and his allies be revealed.
