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Plame Grand Jury Out of Extensions

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Thu Oct 27, 2005 at 10:41:20 PM EST
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Reddhed at Firedoglake called the D.C. District Court Thursday and was told the Plame grand jury is a regular grand jury, not a special grand jury. There are umpteen media articles reporting it to be a special grand jury. Perhaps they made that assumption because Patrick Fitzgerald is a special counsel in the investigation.

Fitzgerald in this pleading(pdf) filed with the court said the grand jury was extended six months in late May, 2005 and will finally expire in October. So Friday is its final day. Special grand juries can be extended in six month increments for a total of 36 months. Regular grand juries can only be extended six months, to a total of 24 months. Rule 6(g) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure:

(g) Discharging the Grand Jury. A grand jury must serve until the court discharges it, but it may serve more than 18 months only if the court, having determined that an extension is in the public interest, extends the grand jury’s service. An extension may be granted for no more than 6 months, except as otherwise provided by statute.

Fitzgerald can, however, turn the case over to a new (successive) grand jury.

[hat tip to Squeaky and Otisishungry]

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    Plame Grand Jury Out of Extensions | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Plame Grand Jury Out of Extensions (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:28 PM EST
    What bums me out is that the GOP is going down in flames, by their own hand, and where is the Dems OFFENSIVE attack? Where are their talking points? Democrats need solid talking points, that address the real concerns of voters day life. People are out of work, can't pay bills, don't feel safe. "Culture of Corruption" is not emotional. We need to hear: "Safety, Security, Salary". That should be a Democrat mantra to their constiuents. "Democrats will Bring Safety to your communities, Security to the country, and a Salary to your family. We want to run the country, not just run for office. Vote Democrat." That will give us majority control. also posted at Burned Out Paranoid Democrat: http://www.burnedoutparanoiddemocrat.blogpost.com

    Re: Plame Grand Jury Out of Extensions (none / 0) (#2)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:29 PM EST
    Since Fitzgerald's GJ has only met for 22 months, and 24 months would be the normal max (including a 6 month extension) what happened to the missing 2 months? Did Ashcroft use them up before he recused himself?

    Plame Grand Jury Out of Extensions | 2 comments (2 topical)