Judge Chutkan orders Trump and Jack Smith to firm up trial dates in elections case
Donald Trump and special counsel Jack Smith must both pick a reasonable trial date in the former president's D.C. election subversion case, according to court documents filed by Judge Chutkan.
Trump has consistently attempted to delay the criminal case until after the 2024 election, when he purportedly believes he could win the presidency and put a stop to the prosecution. Jack Smith on the other hand has argued for a speedy trial, citing benefits to the general public.
Chutkan, who has been said by experts to be moving the trial along a relatively quick pace, has now asked the parties to estimate when the trial should take place and how long the trial could take.
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In the new filing, Chutkan says she will waive the requirement that the ex-president appear in an Aug. 28 status conference in the case. She then sets up a schedule leading up to that date under which both parties will file important trial materials and estimates.
"It is hereby ORDERED that Defendant shall file any motion for excluding the time until the next status conference from the Speedy Trial Act clock by August 8, 2023; and that the government shall file any opposition to that motion by August 13, 2023," the minute order reads.
Chutkan's order requires the government to file a brief proposing a trial date by August 10, and that Trump must file a response brief proposing his own date by August 17, 2023.
In addition to proposed trial dates, Trump and Smith must estimate how long their prosecution or defense will likely take.