Can an indictment be sealed?

[garybeck]

Is it possible that Rove could already be indicted but it is under seal and only he and his lawyers know it?

[xultar]

1. Yes. From Wiki...more

Sealed Indictment

An indictment can be sealed so that it stays non-public until it is unsealed. This can be done for a number of reasons. It may be unsealed, for example, once the named person is arrested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment

[graywarrior]

2. But wouldn't he resign, regardless?

[xultar]

3. Phuck Yeah. Our only saving grace in this nightmare.

[graywarrior]

4. So we can still ridicule him.

[jokerman93]

5. which begs the question

Can an executive pardon be trumped?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

7. No

[tsuki]

11. Can he executive pardon someone accused of treason? nq

[OldLeftieLawyer]

12. Read the Constitution

Presidential pardon power is absolute.

[Solon]

13. True, but whether he would do it is another question...

entirely. I doubt that Bush would be able to do it without destroying completely what political power he has left, of which there is very little.

[Jai4WKC08]

14. Rove has got so much shit on Bush, Cheney and who knows all

If he threatens to sing, he'll get his pardon. Either that or he'll suffer a tragic accident on his way to court.

[Solon]

15. The problem is that if Rove is as smart as people think...

he would have thought of that. He probably has PLENTY of dirt on the Dirty Duo, so he probably considers himself safe, this is assuming he's not one of those ideologes that thinks Bush and Dick are God's own chosen, if he thinks that, then he would set himself up as a sacrificial lamb for those two. That's probably even worst than having Bush pardoning him.

[Jai4WKC08]

17. Rove never struck me as a mushy Bush-lover

He's no Condi.

I think he does what he does for the power, the thrill of being "a player," but even more so just because he can. It's a challenge and something he knows he's "good" at. Read in Franken's last book about some of the shit he pulled in Alabama.

Rove is kinda like those kids who invent computer viruses. They get a kick out of seeing how much damage they can do and how much they can get away with. Probably has something to do with not getting laid.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. Ha!

You forget history, my friend.

That's some mighty fanciful thinking on your part, considering Fuckface hasn't shown the slightest inclination to give a rat's ass about anything since he seized office, and, with the law on his side - yes, for once, the law would be on his side in the matter of Presidential pardons - he can do whatever the hell he wants.

To think otherwise is to overlook his old man's history, for example. Let us never forget the infamous Christmas pardons, as well as the Ford pardon of an unindicted co-conspirator named Richard Nixon.

It is absolute. That takes it far beyond the realm of the political.

[tsuki]

18. How long can an indictment be sealed? nq

[OldLeftieLawyer]

20. Until the glue cracks?

Or until the clerk's tongue gets tired?

[tsuki]

21. Are you saying indefinitely? Interesting. nt

[OldLeftieLawyer]

22. No, I'm saying

that you should ask a lawyer.

Call one, pay for his or her opinion, and then you'll know everything you want to know.

Or, you can go to law school.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Absolutely.

If Fitzgerald isn't stopping at Rove (and why would he) he may very well leave rove's indictment sitting there while he lets the next round of perps stew. My guess is that various lawyers for people other than Rove and Libby are making inquiries and overtures right now trying to find out their client's status and probing to find the parameters of the best deal that they can make.

[garybeck]

8. is there any other reason the GJ could have been meeting yesterday

other than to indict? what else is there to do? maybe it's done but it just hasn't been announced yet.

[xultar]

9. They were all lickin the seal on the indictment!

[wishlist]

19. I have read that Grand Jury meets about other cases besides Plame leak

The 'Truthout' blog article states that Fitz did not even meet with the GJ yesterday, only with Rove's lawyers. To my knowledge no media reports have stated that Fitz has met with GJ since Rove's testimony there last month. This GJ, unlike the earlier GJ, has other cases they are considering.

I have my doubts that the GJ has actually voted to indict yet. Fitz may have just officially notified Rove's attorney that he is now a target on several charges and gave him the opportunity to work out a plea negotiation and provide more information. If Rove will not make a deal, Fitz will then recommend charges for GJ vote the next time they meet and final charges will be presented to a judge before an official announcement is made. I just hope that Rove has no more tricks up his sleeve and that Fitz has reached the end of his tolerance of Rove's delaying tactics.

[AtomicKitten]

10. He won't be frog-marched from the WH,

but resigning is pretty damn sweet. Bah-bye.