Donald Trump and 18 allies ‘expected’ to be booked into jail in Georgia
Ex-President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies are ‘expected’ to be booked into county jail over their alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The 19 individuals will be booked at the Fulton County jail, Georgia officials said late Tuesday, a day after they were indicted.
‘At this point, based on guidance received from the District Attorney’s office and presiding judge, it is expected that all 19 defendants named in the indictment will be booked at the Rice Street Jail,’ stated Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Natalie Ammons.
She added: ‘Keep in mind, defendants can turn themselves in at any time. The jail is open 24/7.’
In Fulton County, the booking and the arraignment and appearance processes in criminal cases are separate pieces, Ammons said. A presiding judge could decide to hold some arraignments virtually.
‘Also, due to the unprecedented nature of this case, some circumstances may change with little or no warning,’ she said.
Trump and his co-defendants have until midday on August 25 to turn themselves in. Among them are Trump’s lawyers Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Kenneth Chesebro, and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark.
The ex-president faces 13 counts including charges of conspiracy, false statements, violating Georgia’s anti-racketeering law and asking a public official to violate oath of office.
‘I am giving the defendants the opportunity to voluntarily surrender no later than noon on Friday the 25th day of August 2023,’ said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Monday. She said she plans to have the trial with all 19 defendants ‘within the next six months’.
It is the fourth indictment that Trump faces as he remains the clear frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Trump was not handcuffed and did not have his mugshot taken in his first three indictments.
But he could have his first mugshot taken in the Georgia case.
‘Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesn’t matter your status,’ said Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat earlier this month. ‘We’ll have a mug shot ready for you.’
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