Georgia’s GOP lawmakers have put forward a proposal that could potentially wipe out the charges against ex-President Donald Trump in Fulton County.
Will Georgia GOP Clear Trump?
Last year, DA Fani Willis charged Trump over his purported role in attempting to reverse the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, which favored Joe Biden.
Innocence Claimed
The investigation zoomed in on Trump’s conversation with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, where he allegedly sought extra votes to shift the election outcome. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty, maintains his innocence and accuses Willis of targeting him politically.
Possible Game-Changer
The new bill, introduced by two state senators in Georgia, aims to nullify Trump’s charges within the state, but it wouldn’t impact his ongoing legal battles in New York or at the federal level.
Trump’s Relief?
This week, State Senators Colton Moore and Brandon Beach unveiled SB 416, a bill aimed at revising the application of racketeering charges in Georgia. These charges are a key aspect of DA Willis’ case against Donald Trump.
A Legal Hope for Trump
The bill reads, “It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide in this subsection for the prohibition of current and future politically motivated prosecutions commenced in this state, to prevent violations of individual rights, to safeguard taxpayer funds, and to ensure that judicial resources of this state be concentrated on crime rather than political vendetta.”
‘STOP POLITICAL PERSECUTION ACT’
When asked about the bill, Senator Moore emphasized its intent to Newsweek, stating, “All one has to do is read the title, STOP POLITICAL PERSECUTION ACT!”
Impact on Past Convictions
The bill specifies that from July 1, 2023, prosecutions based on racketeering charges linked to 10 defined offenses — some of which Trump is accused of — will be prohibited.
Additionally, it proposes that any previous convictions under these terms would be invalidated should the bill pass into law.”
A New Direction
Under the proposed SB 416, Georgia would see a significant shift in prosecuting racketeering cases. Specifically, the bill aims to prohibit such prosecutions when the indictment involves accusations of certain offenses.
Redefining Legal Boundaries
These include forgery under Code Section 16-9-1, breaches of the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (Article 6 of Chapter 9), violations of oath by public officers (Code Section 16-10-1), false statements or writings against public officers (Code Section 16-10-20 or 16-10-20.1), and conspiring to defraud state or political subdivisions (Code Section 16-10-21).
Legal Transformation
The bill also covers impersonation of public officers (Code Section 17-10-23), influencing witnesses (Code Section 16-10-93), interference in primaries and elections (Code Section 21-2-566), unlawful possession in elections (Code Section 21-2-574), and conspiracy to commit election fraud (Code Section 21-2-603).
Implications for Trump
Several of the counts Donald Trump is charged with, such as conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to make false statements, soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer, and conspiracy to impersonate a public officer or employee, are at the heart of the debate surrounding SB 416.
Slim Chances of Becoming Law?
In light of this development, Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor at Georgia State University College of Law, commented on the slim prospects of SB 416 becoming law. Posting on X, previously known as Twitter, Kreis remarked that the bill’s chances of being enacted are ‘almost zero.’
The Impact of Proposed Legislation
“It is important to note filed legislation because it may signal trends. At the same time, however, not all bills are equally likely to pass. It’s essential to remember legislators’ primary goals are to position-take and seek reelection…. not necessarily successfully pass bills.” Kreis wrote.
How Should the Public React?
Expanding on his assessment, Anthony Michael Kreis further cautioned the public against overreacting to every legislative proposal.
He advised, “So, folks, don’t set your hair on fire every time a piece of legislation is filed as if each bill starts off on an equal footing or with an equal probability of becoming law.”
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