by TChris

Mark Geragos, defense attorney for Scott Peterson, is ready to rock. Geragos notified the court and prosecutors that he is ready to begin Peterson's trial immediately. Geragos had been scheduled to begin a murder trial in Pasadena, but an appeal has delayed that case.

Geragos may want to proceed with Peterson's trial now in the hope that he will catch the prosecution unprepared. While delay often benefits the defense in a criminal case, Larry Posner, former president of the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, thinks the request for an immediate trial is good news for Peterson.

"If the defense has announced this (wish to go to trial immediately)," said Posner, "it's a sign of tremendous confidence. The defense is saying (to the prosecution), 'We have weighed everything you have, and it's not there. Let's do it now.' That has to be it. You can't bluff that."

Loyola Law Professor Stan Goldman agrees.

"The longer you wait, the more the prosecution will get its ducks in a row," Goldman said. "You might as well try it now. It's a strategy that worked in the (O.J.) Simpson case successfully.''

And USC Law Professor Erwin Chemerinsky cites a number of factors that may have motivated Geragos to press for a trial:

"There's a perception that the judge will react badly to requests for extensions, there's a client who wants to go forward as soon as possible, and sometimes there's a defense strategy for public relations purposes. Imagine a situation where there have been (public) revelations damaging to the prosecution. The climate for the defense is to go forward now."

A gag order prevents Geragos from commenting upon the reason for his request.