Judge's Decision to Dismiss Trump's Case Spurs Legal Battle

A judge's dismissal of the case against Donald Trump has halted prosecutions. Special counsel Jack Smith's appeal is expected to spark a legal fight that might reach the Supreme Court. The decision, based on the appointment legality of the special counsel, could result in the case's reinstatement and reassignment.

A judge's stunning decision to dismiss the classified documents case against Donald Trump brought an abrupt halt to what experts have considered the strongest and most straightforward prosecution of the former president. But it's hardly the final word.

Special counsel Jack Smith's appeal of US District Judge Aileen Cannon's order is expected to tee up a court fight that might reach the US Supreme Court and could result in the case's reinstatement and potentially its reassignment to a different judge.

There's no scenario in which a revived prosecution could reach trial before the November election, and it presumably won't occur if Trump is elected president and orders his Justice Department to dismiss it. Still, Cannon's order ensures many more months of legal wrangling in a criminal case that has faced interminable delays over the last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)