New law could mean Fulton County taxpayers will foot Trump's legal bill

Caption

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Macon, Ga., on Nov. 3, 2024.

Credit: Grant Blankenship / GPB News

A law passed by the Georgia Legislature earlier this year could leave Fulton County taxpayers responsible to foot the bill for President Donald Trump’s legal fees in Georgia.

Senate Bill 244 says a county can be ordered to pay attorney’s fees for a defendant if the district attorney in the case was disqualified for improper conduct and the case dismissed.

That set of circumstances applies to President Donald Trump and the other defendants in the now-dismissed 2020 election interference case brought by District Attorney Fani Willis in Fulton County.

Georgia State University political science professor Tammy Greer says the law could have far-reaching implications. 

“The glaring part that goes through my mind is, what does this say about how we view the criminal justice system, who the criminal justice system is intended to provide consequences to?” she said. 

Trump and the other defendants would have to petition the court to have their legal fees covered. 

The law also sets up a more streamlined structure for wrongfully convicted people to receive financial compensation.