# What happens if Trump is indicted in Georgia? (Indicted on August 14, 2023) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 17, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928 "2023-02-17T03:14:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 127
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2521 "2024-03-01T20:53:38Z")
Good point (pun unintended). He seems to be speaking from a set of prepared remarks, which is fine; but I think that in addition to your suggestion about not meeting the burden and bullet points, he should have been taking notes during the summations of the defense lawyers. That way, he could inject them into his prepared remarks in any appropriate places—for example, “Now, Mr. Wade something-something-something, unlike what Mr. Sadow told us earlier in today’s proceedings.” If he did take notes, he doesn’t seem to be using them. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2522 "2024-03-01T21:04:33Z")
IME, few trial lawyers are really impressive in trial. It takes years to hone the craft. His presentation seems reasonably average to me. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2523 "2024-03-01T21:09:11Z")
Yes, I, um, agree that his, err, speaking style could be, err uhm, better. As a non-lawyer, I can’t help but wonder if how important these lengthy closing remarks in a motion that is going to be decided by a JUDGE. The judge. presumably, is already familiar with the all the evidence and doesn’t need to be reminded of things he heard about a few days ago. But, as I say, IANAL. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2524 "2024-03-01T21:24:19Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > As a non-lawyer, I can’t help but wonder if how important these lengthy closing remarks in a motion that is going to be decided by a JUDGE. I suggest not very. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2525 "2024-03-02T01:16:18Z")
I haven’t caught every televised bit of the hearings of late. And this article is now 40 days old. But … I’m not sure how much of the authors’ points are likely to be negated by what’s happened since it was written. In my (Not A Lawyer) opinion, I haven’t heard the Defense attorneys get to the heart of the issues that are raised IN this article – the issues that are central to disqualifying the DA. They did suggest that Wade should voluntarily remove himself from this case. Other than that, it’s probably too information dense for me to reasonably summarize: > **[Why Fani Willis Is Not Disqualified Under Georgia Law](https://www.justsecurity.org/91368/why-fani-willis-is-not-disqualified-under-georgia-law/)** > > Analysis of Georgia law on disqualifying prosecutors in light of allegations against DA Fani Willis and Nathan Wade. Good read. I hope they’re right. I think a LOT is still riding on Georgia, and that it is unique among the criminal actions pending against Trump. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2526 "2024-03-02T18:17:18Z")
The two witnesses against Willis & Wade both had an axe to grind. One is a fired employee, the other is a former law partner of Wade, who briefly was his divorce attorney, before being accused of sexual assault, and dissolving their partnership. The law partner encouraged the plaintiff attorney with the motion against Willis & Wade, claiming he had knowledge about their relationship. But then recanted on the witness stand, saying he “couldn’t remember”, and “may have lied”. I wouldn’t want to be Judge McAfee on this case. He admonished the plaintiff attorney, as the testimony didn’t support her motion. She was clearly upset. NY Times link (paywalled). Perhaps someone can unravel or archive another source. > **[Texts Show Witness Readily Helped Build a Case to Disqualify Trump Prosecutors](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/us/trump-georgia-fani-willis-texts.html)** > > Terrence Bradley was a reluctant witness in court, but text messages show he was eager to help an effort to disqualify Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2527 "2024-03-02T21:47:46Z")
[I am leaving this gift link to the article above from the NYT here](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/us/trump-georgia-fani-willis-texts.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Zk0.Yf6T.rzJIILtHmhyR&smid=url-share). It is very thorough. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2528 "2024-03-02T22:59:38Z")
Thanks for that. He reads to me like a pissed-off former partner, current enemy, who was happy to torpedo his “pal” but dismayed to discover that’d mean he’d end up under oath. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2529 "2024-03-02T23:24:07Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I wouldn’t want to be Judge McAfee on this case. He admonished the plaintiff attorney, as the testimony didn’t support her motion. She was clearly upset. I would _love_ to be the judge on this case. I would have shut down this nonsense when it was first proposed. I’d have brought the lawyers in and demanded they explain how, even if what they said was true, it was relevant to the issue of determining their clients’ guilt. If we got so far that the lawyers couldn’t even substantiate their assertions with credible evidence, I’d be issuing sanctions. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2530 "2024-03-02T23:26:58Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > He reads to me like a pissed-off former partner, current enemy, who was happy to torpedo his “pal” but dismayed to discover that’d mean he’d end up under oath. Makes me think of some guy who gets drunk and starts ranting with slurred words… “Put **me** on the witness stand and I’ll tell you some things that’ll get him disbarred.” Then desperate defense counsel attempts just that and suddenly, uh, no, there’s nothing to say. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2531 "2024-03-03T02:48:37Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > dismayed to discover that’d mean he’d end up under oath Gee, who’d have thunk it. Is the entire conservative/Republican/MAGAt playbook “I can say whatever I want to forward The Cause and not have to answer for it,” their prime directive? ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2532 "2024-03-03T05:05:23Z")
Court House steps, “news conference”, Faux News talk show; presenting the evidence/truth. Yet in the courtroom; “Are you alleging fraud?”. " No your honor, not at this time (or in any lifetime)." “Dismissed x sixty+ times.” Big talk for the rube’s consumption. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2533 "2024-03-03T17:15:47Z")
And the rubes never learn from the Fox etc. media that the accusations were baloney; or are told the rightful charges were deepsixed by the corrupt Deep State. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2534 "2024-03-13T14:41:51Z")
bit of an unexpected ruling in ga. The six charges in question have to do with soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. That includes two charges related to [the phone call Trump made](https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6) to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021. this is a small part of the charges in ga. the bulk of the charges are intact. i believe this takes 3 charges off of trump’s total. [Judge dismisses some charges in Trump’s Georgia election case (msn.com)](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-dismisses-some-charges-in-trumps-georgia-election-case/ar-BB1jPtiH) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2535 "2024-03-13T14:46:29Z")
There was a time when it looked like the Georgia case was going to be the most likely one to start and finish early enough to get a conviction against Trump before the general election. Now, it’s essentially DOA. The defendents that pled out early must be kicking themselves now. And Judge McAfee STILL hasn’t ruled on whether or not Fani Willis can remain on the case? Really? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2536 "2024-03-13T14:46:58Z")
that should be tomorrow some time. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2537 "2024-03-13T15:23:34Z")
Judge McAfee is a recently appointed Republican in a Democratic county. And he needs to win a nominally non-partisan election, on May 21, to keep his job. McAfee has two opponents, both apparently running to his left. Perhaps they will split his opposition allowing McAfee to squeeze in. But if not, will this cause more delay? Links regarding McAfee’s opponents:: [Robert Patillo, a lawyer and TV commentator, is challenging judge presiding over the county’s historic election indictment](https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/03/08/atlanta-attorney-challenging-scott-mcafee-his-seat-fulton-county-superior-court-bench/) > [@](#): > > He had little to add regarding McAfee’s handling of the election indictment. > > “I’ve thought about it. I’m not going to give preemptive judgments on these cases,” Patillo said. “For all we know, in a year and a half, this case will still be going on and I’ll be presiding over it, so clearly, I can’t make any decisions on what would happen.” [Elect Tiffani Johnson](https://www.tiffanijohnsonforfulton.com/meet_tiffani) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2538 "2024-03-13T15:32:45Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Judge McAfee is a recently appointed Republican in a Democratic county. And he needs to win a nominally non-partisan election, on May 21, to keep his job. Seems like the obvious course of action for McAfee, then, would’ve been to rule instantly that Fani Willis has no conflicts of interest and can go full speed ahead with the trial. Instead, McAfee’s been helping the defendants drag everything out. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2539 "2024-03-13T17:16:57Z")
[Ga. judge dismisses six charges in Trump election interference case - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/13/trump-georgia-election-case-charges-dropped/) The judge’s decision means Meadows, who has been seeking to move his case to federal court, now faces only a single racketeering charge in the case. James Durham, a lawyer for Meadows, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. a bit of good news for meadows, still has the racketeering charge. the ruling: [f610e414-2672-427d-88eb-33a27964383b.pdf (washingtonpost.com)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/f610e414-2672-427d-88eb-33a27964383b.pdf?itid=lk_inline_manual_4) ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/2540 "2024-03-13T17:31:41Z")
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