December sure seems like excessively long timeframe in which to schedule the next hearing

[CanonRay]

in TFG's case. I'm wondering if it's because the judge is privy that there are going to be much more serious charges (e.g. espionage) filed in the intervening months. Just curious. Thoughts?

[lame54]

1. Especially when you add the endless delays

[Lettuce Be]

2. We are now in the discovery phase -- documents are requested and provided by both sides

Depositions will be scheduled, etc. etc. It's a long process and takes time. This is how it works. A simple auto accident with injuries would generally be set for trial one year after filing. That is because there are many other cases pending and discovery takes considerable time. Let the process work, be patient (I know!).

[CanonRay]

5. No depositions in a criminal case.

Discovery, motions for exclusion of evidence, motions for expert witnesses, etc. Yes, sure it will be a grind, but even so, 8 months to schedule the next hearing? Seems excessive to me.

[Ocelot II]

3. It's because the Manhattan criminal courts are notoriously overwhelmed.

They handle something like 40,000 cases a year, and TFG's case doesn't get to butt ahead of cases that are already pending. Other prosecutions of TFG in other jurisdictions will have no impact on the scheduling of this one.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Given his age if it was a civil case he could ask for an expedited docket

Given his age, if it was a civil case he could ask for an expedited docket lest it not be resolved before his demise. It's not a civil case and he likely will drag it out as long as he can.

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

7. Not a surprise

Rumor has it that the Manhattan court system is so backlogged that all the cases going to trial are backed up this long, if not longer.

It wouldn't surprise me if they do tens of thousands of cases, year in, year out.

This is one of the reasons the justice system is so "slow." Criminals are criming faster than they can be tried for it.