# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/41 "2023-02-20T16:22:50Z")
It is amusing to imagine a series of _Prison Break_ where one of the characters is the hard done by ex-president, always accompanied by four guys in suits, shades and with earpiece cables. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/42 "2023-02-20T17:07:02Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > For that, you’d have to look at the particular composition, but not all Georgian Republicans are pro-Trump, willing to bend the rules for him; just look at Raffensperger. Trump didn’t ask Raffensperger to bend rules for him; he asked him to outright discard the rules. By contrast, a pardon board who pardoned Trump wouldn’t even be bending rules; they’d be playing the rules straight exactly as they are. I can believe that they’re not willing to cheat outright, but that doesn’t mean I believe that they won’t help Trump within the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/43 "2023-02-20T17:10:43Z")
Sure, but “within the rules” on pardons usually means things like, “was there a miscarriage of justice?” “does the convict admit their mistake and say they will never do it again?”, “is the convict sincere in saying they have changed?” Stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/44 "2023-02-20T17:13:13Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Sure, but “within the rules” on pardons usually means things like, “was there a miscarriage of justice?” “does the convict admit their mistake and say they will never do it again?”, “is the convict sincere in saying they have changed?” Usually… [Pardon of Joe Arpaio - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon_of_Joe_Arpaio#:~:text=On%20August%2025%2C%202017%2C%20President,being%20in%20the%20U.S.%20illegally%22). ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/45 "2023-02-20T17:38:48Z")
I picture Trump in prison with his Secret Service detail kind of like Frank Pentangeli in Federal custody with his handlers in Godfather 2. Except of course for the ending… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/46 "2023-02-20T17:40:11Z")
That varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and I don’t know the rules in Georgia. But in a lot of jurisdictions (such as the US federal jurisdiction), the only rule for who gets a pardon is that it’s whoever the pardoning authority decides to give a pardon to. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/47 "2023-02-20T17:43:57Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > I picture Trump in prison with his Secret Service detail kind of like Frank Pentangeli in Federal custody with his handlers in Godfather 2. Except of course for the ending… I’d take the same ending. I think indictment is pretty much certain. The facts of the case are such that conviction should be a foregone conclusion except if someone of MGT’s intellect and political persuasion in on the jury. Sentencing- there should be some jail time. Even in a Pentangeli-styled facility where he could play cards with the cards and cheat his ass off. Will indictment stir up the crazies? Sure, but we can’t live in fear of them. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/48 "2023-02-20T17:48:33Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’d take the same ending. There wouldn’t be blood in the bathwater. Just KFC grease. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/49 "2023-02-20T17:49:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and I don’t know the rules in Georgia. But in a lot of jurisdictions (such as the US federal jurisdiction), the only rule for who gets a pardon is that it’s whoever the pardoning authority decides to give a pardon to. Here’s the excerpt from the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles: > [@](#): > > To qualify for a Pardon for offenses other than sex offenses which require you to be listed on Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry: > > ● You must have completed all sentence(s) at least five (5) years prior to applying. > > ● You must have lived a law-abiding life during the five (5) years prior to applying. > > ● You cannot have any pending charges. > > ● All fines must be paid in full. > **[Pardons & Restoration of Rights](https://pap.georgia.gov/parole-consideration/pardons-restoration-rights)** > > The application process for Pardons and Restoration of Rights has changed effective ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/50 "2023-02-20T17:56:02Z")
So that’s not really a “pardon” in the ordinary sense. It can’t be used to release someone from prison who is currently there. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/51 "2023-02-20T20:03:35Z")
They walk along, smoking cigars. PAB expresses concerns about the drainage problem at his eventual burial site. “Don’t worry Donnie Two-scoops, it’s all been taken care of”. They shake hands. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/52 "2023-02-20T21:13:25Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > It is amusing to imagine a series of _Prison Break_ where one of the characters is the hard done by ex-president, always accompanied by four guys in suits, shades and with earpiece cables. That sounds more like a cold opening of SNL. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/53 "2023-02-21T18:09:10Z")
A lot may depend on which judge gets the case. Will it be someone like Aileen Cannon or someone like Maya Gamble (the judge in the Alex Jones case)? In any case I doubt that Trump will spend any time in any sort of lockup either before or after the trial. You can bet that Trump is going to balk and delay at every step he can. The question is the extent to which he will violate any judges order or summons? If push comes to shove and he is ordered to be brought bodily to face charges will DeSantis act to prevent his extradition? ---
**Author:** ![kay1864](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kay1864/32/16024_2.png) [@kay1864](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kay1864)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/54 "2023-02-21T20:51:24Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > If push comes to shove and he is ordered to be brought bodily to face charges will DeSantis act to prevent his extradition? It would definitely behoove DeSantis for Trump to face trial. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/55 "2023-02-21T21:04:16Z")
Yes, but having him hiding out in Florida would work even better for DeSantis. Its hard to launch a primary campaign if you are going to be arrested and carted off for trial in Georgia the moment your plane touches down in New Hampshire. Plus this way DeSantis could claim that he’s doing everything he can to support the Ketchup Fliniging Toddler, and so keeping the support of the Trumpists. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/56 "2023-02-21T23:12:04Z")
The foreperson has done an interview. They recommended over a dozen to be inducted. She states “ you will know some names and others not”, and there will “ not be any plot twists”. It is getting closer. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/57 "2023-02-22T01:23:50Z")
So is indicting DJT a plot twist or is not indicting him a plot twist? ---
**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:** [February 22, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/58 "2023-02-22T02:25:48Z")
I’m not sure about this foreperson. She seems to have a “gleeful, I know something you don’t know” thing. She has never voted! She is enjoying her moment of fame. I hope she doesn’t mess up any of the cases. She has mentioned that there were quite a few phone recordings of trump on the phone. Not charging trump will be a plot twist. I may have to find my dancing shoes. ---
**Author:** ![up2eleven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/up2eleven/32/13432_2.png) [@up2eleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up2eleven)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/59 "2023-02-22T02:47:22Z")
I have zero faith in our justice system anymore. If Darth Pumpkin serves any time at all, I bet it would some cushy place he and his cronies control like Pablo Escobar did at La Catedral. A symbolic jail at best. Our system has failed to hold so many political criminals accountable. Heck, we still have people who provably assisted in a coup and made threats still holding various offices. I would absolutely love to be proven wrong and for our justice system to find its spine. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/60 "2023-02-22T03:12:55Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > I’m not sure about this foreperson. She seems to have a “gleeful, I know something you don’t know” thing. > **[Grand juror: Multiple indictments recommended in Georgia probe of 2020 election](https://www.ajc.com/politics/fulton-grand-juror-multiple-indictments-recommended/KGAJO32SP5CJXO4EYGCONSP5OE/)** > > A Fulton County special grand jury recommended that multiple people be indicted as a result of a nearly eight-month investigation that examined potential criminal interference in Georgia’s 2020 elections, according to the jury forewoman. Money quote: > [@](#): > > After portions of the report were released last week, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social. > > ”Thank you to the Special Grand Jury in the Great State of Georgia for your Patriotism & Courage,” the former president posted. “Total exoneration.” > > When AJC reporters on Tuesday told Kohrs about that reaction she rolled her eyes and then burst out laughing. > > ”Did he really say that?” she asked. “Oh, that’s fantastic. That’s phenomenal. I love it.” > > When asked if she had any response, she said, “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right. That’s what I have to say to that.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928.md?page=4)