Fed Prosecutors to Appeals Court: Can we please get on with the Jefferson trial?

Rep. William Jefferson, D-La. filed an appeal to the U.S. Supremes, arguing that the evidence collected by the Feds is invalid because he's, uh, a congressman. Prosecutors are urging the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to move ahead regardless, saying his argument to the Supremes is like, stupid or something.

Jefferson argues that the charges are invalid because a grand jury got access to information about his actions as a member of Congress. That, Jefferson claims, runs afoul of a constitutional clause that shields members of Congress from civil or criminal action stemming from the performance of their legislative duties.

Because everybody knows that stuffing a freezer full of cash is just a normal, everyday thing in the performance of your normal, everyday legislative duties as a congressman.

Anybody with any lawyerly type constitutional classes (you didn't sleep through) want to speculate on the SCOTUS response? I'm hopin for a hearty F.O. myself.

If that's the proper legal term. I dunno.

posted by Dave In Texas at 12:11 PM

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