Donald Trump indictment: When could the trial start?

If Donald Trump wanted a bit of time to compose his reelection strategy in the run up to next year’s elections, he couldn’t have chosen a worse rogue’s gallery for advisors to assist him. Trump and 18 other defendants face 41 criminal counts ranging from forgery to extremely serious RICO charges.

In Georgia, the racketeering charges against Mr. Trump carry obligatory minimum sentences. If found guilty, the ex-president might potentially receive a prison term ranging from five to twenty years.

“Trump and the other defendants charged in this indictment refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump,” the indictment said.

No trial date has been set yet and no alleged conspirators have yet been arraigned. They have until 25 August to surrender after prosecutor Fani Willis issued an arrest warrant.

Donald Trump’s myriad court dates

While the Georgia case doesn’t case has no court date set, and neither does the federal case concerning the 2020 presidential election, his two other cases have pencilled in dates which will see Trump in the dock.

25 March, 2024 is the date of the first trial. It relates to the payment of $130,000 to pornstar Stormy Daniels in what proseutors are calling fraudulent payments. According to Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen’s testimony, the payment was to cover up the affair Trump allegedly had with her.

Less than two months later the trial concerning his handling of classified documents will be heard. Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Trump broke the law by keeping in his possession classified documents; CNN reported audio recordings in which he supposedly acknowledges having one in his possession.

He has pleaded not guilty in all cases in which he has been arraigned, so don’t expect him to plead guilty to the latest.