Chutkan issues new rules for lawyers in Trump’s DC case: report

United States District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing ex-President Donald Trump's Washington, DC January 6 case, issued a two-page order Thursday containing important dates and requirements ahead of the scheduled March 4, 2023 trial date, The Messenger reports.

Per the report, Chutkan gave former president's attorneys and U.S. Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith's team permission to "conduct open-source research to examine potential jurors," although the judge added that "no one 'in any way' can directly contact or communicate with jurors, and they're also prohibited from using non-public databases for their research."

Chutkan wrote, "The parties must ensure that anyone permitted access to sensitive juror information understands that he cannot publicly disclose the information, and no party may provide jurors' identifying information to any other entity (e.g., the defendant's campaign) that is not part of the defense team or Government team assisting with jury selection."

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Additionally, The Messenger notes the order includes "a Jan. 9 deadline for" both parties "to come up with a written questionnaire that they'll use for sifting through potential jurors," as well as a rule that :Any disputes over questions must be spelled out in a joint filing from both sides of the case."

Furthermore, "Chutkan also set a ground rule that no one may disclose in open court or outside of court the names or identifying information of any prospective juror," according to the report.

READ MORE: Judge Chutkan blasts Trump’s attorney in gag order hearing

The Messenger's full report is available at this link.