Noting Georgia’s limits on pardon powers in wake of latest state indictment for former Prez Trump and associates

Thanks to indictment fatigue, I have not yet had much interest in trying to figure out the full sentencing exposure of former Prez Donald Trump or his many co-defendants (AP details here) in the wake of last night’s nearly 100-page indictment from Fulton County.  But a quick scan of press coverage has led me to already see lots of talk about Georgia’s distinctive pardon laws: 

From Insider, “Trump would have to serve 5 years in prison before he can be pardoned in Georgia criminal case, expert says“

From MSNBC, “Why Trump can’t kill Georgia charges like federal ones“

From Newser, “A Georgia Worry for Trump: Pardon-Proof Charges“

These pieces and others are understandably focused on the apparent inability under Georgia law for former Prez Trump to secure a pardon.  But I think it also notable and important that Georgia law also limits the pardon possibilities for Prez Trump’s Georgia co-defendants.  As in most traditional cases, all the defendants in this new Georgia case will have to deal with the reality that only prosecutors have clear and direct authority to dole out criminal justices breaks.