# 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:** 92
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1821 "2023-10-20T16:39:34Z")
Part of what seems significant is that _two_ high-level players have pled guilty. This creates something of a new prisoner’s dilemma, where the first one to _fail_ to cooperate is in serious trouble, because there’s someone else cooperating. If they can’t guarantee that the other person will redact the same details they’re redacting, then the DA will still get the damning testimony, and their deal will be revoked. I suspect Trump is ordering his lawyers to make every possible threat against these two, and they’re trying to figure out how to tell him to go fuck himself without losing their retainer. Am I correct in thinking that their plea deals include a requirement to report any attempted contact from any of the remaining defendants? ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1822 "2023-10-20T16:40:30Z")
the plea was guilty to conspiracy, a felony. lose law license? did i hear that properly?! gavel down in court. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1823 "2023-10-20T16:43:47Z")
> Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to file false documents, and faces a prison sentence of one to five years. He also agreed to truthfully testify in the case against others. [WashPo] ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1824 "2023-10-20T16:44:57Z")
Not at all surprising. As @Ann_Hedonia pointed out in one of these threads, first mouse gets the most cheese. Each of these players has a lot to testify about to nail the higher-ups. They may not all be named Trump. Despite Chesebro pleading to a felony, he still got off very easy compared to what would have happened had he been convicted on all the charges that were pending. Both Powell and Chesebro have significant sentences hanging over their heads if they fail to live up to their ends of the plea agreements. Chesebro will automatically lose his license to practice law for having been convicted of a felony. But IMHO, that’s the least of his worries until Trump’s trial is completed. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1825 "2023-10-20T16:46:56Z")
if he lives up to the plea deal it would be probation, no prison time. if he doesn’t… don’t want to be him. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1826 "2023-10-20T16:51:26Z")
It looks like you’re right. I wonder why WashPo worded it as they did… ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1827 "2023-10-20T16:55:28Z")
How do you write out the noise your hands make as you rub them together with glee? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1828 "2023-10-20T17:08:55Z")
[Mr Burns]Excellent.[/mb] ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1829 "2023-10-20T17:09:06Z")
phrip, phrip, phrip? does the community service have to be in ga? ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1830 "2023-10-20T17:17:24Z")
Yes. That’s the jurisdiction. ETA: I suppose he can apply for an exception, but it would have to be court-approved. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1831 "2023-10-20T17:24:40Z")
Picking garbage from the side of busy highways. (Tip: that’s not lemonade in those bottles) ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1832 "2023-10-20T17:50:03Z")
With two alleged, high-level, perps accepting plea deals, will this possibly result in a snowballing of confessions and plea deal requests? ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1833 "2023-10-20T17:52:07Z")
a few more details from washington post: Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to file false documents, and accepted a sentence of three to five years of probation, a $1,000 fine, $5,000 in restitution to the state of Georgia, an apology letter, 100 hours of community service and a promise to testify truthfully against any other co-defendants in the case, should they go to trial. In his plea deal, Chesebro implicated several of those co-defendants as being part of the conspiracy to file false documents — a charge related to his role organizing slates of pro-Trump electors to meet in seven states where Biden had won. They are Trump, four other lawyers including Rudy Giuliani, and one campaign operative. If he abides by the terms of probation, the charge will be expunged from his record under the first-offender terms of the deal. In addition, the plea describes the crime to which Chesebro pleaded guilty — conspiring to file false documents — as not being one of “moral turpitude.” That could enable him to resume practicing law. After Chesebro pleaded guilty, his lawyer asked McAfee if his client’s probation case could be transferred to Puerto Rico, his current home. McAfee said that could “complicate” the terms of his probation, and Chesebro agreed to stay in Atlanta for a few days to work out the details. “Was he planning to leave today?” McAfee asked Chesebro’s lawyer, Scott Grubman. "He was planning to stay here for three to six months,” Grubman replied, prompting laughter at the reference to the now-averted trial that was due to begin early next month. [Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro pleads guilty in Georgia election case - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/10/20/chesebro-guilty-plea-trump-georgia/) i did wonder if the probation had to be in ga or could move to where the defendants live. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1834 "2023-10-20T17:52:49Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > With two alleged, high-level, perps accepting plea deals, will this possibly result in a snowballing of confessions and plea deal requests? Very high. This is frequently how complex cases like this one go. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1835 "2023-10-20T17:58:43Z")
From the WaPo article: > As part of his plea, Chesebro admitted to a range of activities, including a central role devising a plan to convene Trump electors. He also admitted that the purpose of the plan was to disrupt the proceedings on [Jan. 6](https://www.washingtonpost.com/january-6-capitol-riot/?itid=lk_inline_manual_26), 2021, when a joint session of Congress had convened to vote on the Electoral College tally that would declare Joe Biden the next president. Chesebro admitted as part of the pleading that he attended the protest at the Capitol that day. His lawyer says he doesn’t think that his client will be called as a witness. Given what he’s admitted to, I’m not so sure about 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:** [October 20, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1836 "2023-10-20T18:08:45Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Do I need to slow the fuck down with my hopes? Are the Chese n Krakens pleas as significant as I’m thinking? The other important point is the state doesn’t now have to preview their entire case and expose all their witness testimony cross examination. Trump’s team would have learned a lot watching this first trial. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1837 "2023-10-20T19:15:25Z")
From CNN: > As part of his plea deal, Chesebro admitted that he conspired to put forward fake GOP electors in Georgia with Trump and former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman. Giuliani and Eastman have both pleaded not guilty in the Georgia case, and now face the prospect of Chesebro taking the witness stand against them. Both Giuliani and Eastman are now in deep, deep shit. I doubt if Giuliani will flip. He’s too pickled at this point to even understand what’s going on. But Eastman? His best course of action at this point is to flip on Trump - take whatever deal is on the table. Because if he doesn’t, I think he may be looking at significant time in the slammer. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1838 "2023-10-20T19:27:17Z")
I find it ironic that both defendants who filed motions for speedy trials chose not to have trials. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1839 "2023-10-20T19:28:57Z")
Well, it sped up their decision-making process. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928/1840 "2023-10-20T19:32:05Z")
“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” – Samuel Johnson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-is-indicted-in-georgia-indicted-on-august-14-2023/979928.md?page=93)