ATLANTA — A Fulton County court on Thursday released heavily redacted excerpts of the final report of the special grand jury that spent nearly eight months investigating whether anyone criminally interfered in Georgia’s 2020 elections.
Here’s a look at what could come next:
1. It’s now up to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to decide whether she wants to pursue any indictments in response to the investigation. She previously said such decisions are “imminent” but has not clarified a timeline.
2. Should Willis decide to seek charges, she would need to persuade a majority of people seated on a regular grand jury that there’s probable cause — more evidence for than against — to warrant an indictment.
3. If indictments are handed up, Willis is expected to publicly announce charges during a news conference.
4. After someone is indicted, an arrest warrant is typically issued and he or she is taken into custody. That person will then appear before a judge to try to get a bond and be released pending trial. Other times a defendant is allowed to self-surrender to the sheriff’s office with a bond already agreed to by prosecutors and the defendant’s criminal defense attorney. Regardless of how they arrive, the individuals being charged will have their fingerprints and a mug shot taken while at the sheriff’s office.
5. After any indictments are handed up, the rest of the special grand jury’s final report is expected to be released.
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(Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Bill Rankin contributed to this report.)
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