It was a straight-up plea deal in the Georgia courtroom today. One day before her trial was to begin, Sidney Powell and prosecutors told the judge they'd made a plea deal.
Sidney gets six years probation, has to write a letter of apology to the people of Georgia, pay a fine and restitution, and must testify in future trials.
For that, she stays out of Georgia State Prison.
Bad news for Team Trump.
Transcript of court proceeding (until CNN gave up because it got boring?) below...
Okay. Ms. Powell, there is a document plea of guilty form, and is this your signature on the second page? Yes, sir.
Ma'am, do you understand that this is a negotiated plea which means that your attorney and I have agreed an agreement to the proposed term to the court. I do.
And you agree that this is the accusation of counts one through 6 that you are 12 months probation to run consecutively to each other? I do.
And there is a fine imposed to restitution of $2,700 to the state of Georgia and an apology letter written to the citizens of the state of Georgia, and you truthfully testify in the trials of all of the other co-defendants, and you have no other conversations with other co-defendants until this case is concluded? I do.
And that you have proffered and recorded proffered statements to this case, and any other cases asserted in a good faith and prior to entering this plea? I do.
And judge, at this time, we will enter into evidence as state's evidence, the apology letter from Ms. Powell. And Ms. Powell, do you understand that this court does not have to follow the state's recommendation in this case? I do.
And you understand that the court does not have to follow the state's recommendation and you can follow through with trial on the original indictment? I do.
And do you understand that if you are currently on probation or parole, your probation or parole may be revoked based upon entering this guilty plea? Yes.
Do you understand that if you are placed on probation of any kind, you cannot violate the law in any way or the government or any other special conditions of the probation that was subject to your probation to being revoked for the balance that is remaining? I understand.
Do you understand that you are not allowed to possess any firearms while you are on probation? Probation?
Ms. Young, are you certain that is accurate because it is a misdemeanor plea and it does not involve violence and I'm not aware of any policy under Georgia law that would prohibit her to have any weapon?
I am not certain, judge.I am not aware of any.
So, are youware that this may affect your ability to possess firearms? Yes.
Let me back up. Mr. Rafferty, have you had the opportunity to go over the accusation with your client? Yes.
And have you both signed this accusation? Yes.
And do you waive any accusations in this pleading? Yes.
And do you plead guilty to the accusations? Yes.
And the maximum that you could receive is 12 months to serve on each of the channels in the accusation? Yes.
It is my understanding that you are asking the court to sentence you under the First Offender Act? Correct.
Have you plead guilty or NOLO to any other felonies in the state of Georgia or any other jurisdiction? No.
And do you understand that if you are sentenced under the First Offender Act, has your attorney gone over what that means and what that entitles? Yes.
And do you understand that if you are violating the first offender sentence while on probation, the first offender status could be revoked and you could be adjudicated guilty and sentenced for each charge in accusation? Yes.
To you understand that you could successfully complete your sentencing in the First Offender Act, that you could not complete the charges? Yes.
And do you understand that you waive all defenses, including mental health defense by entering this plea? Yes.
Do you understand that you have 12 months from today's date in order to file a habeas corpus? Yes.
And do you understand that unless counsel is permitted to withdraw, he is going to represent you to the end of court or 30 days which ever is later? We are.
And you understand that you have the last day of court to withdraw your guilty plea? Yes.
You understand that term ends on November 5th of 2023? Yes.
And do you understand that any of the filings that you, that we just discussed, will be represented by the filings unless you represent yourself? Yes.
Do you understand that by pleading guilty, you are giving up the right to trial by jury? Yes.
Do you understand that by pleading guilty you are to give up the right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself? Yes.
You understand that by pleading guilty you are giving up the right to testify others. Yes.
Do you understand that by pleading guilty that you are giving up the right to counsel? Yes.
