Trial date set for General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer in federal corruption case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal judge tentatively scheduled the trial for Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer to begin Jan. 11, 2027. 

Before they can begin, attorney John Keith Perry told FOX13 they have to go through more than 50,000 documents federal prosecutors used to build their case against Sawyer.

"I think the majority of it probably from the government standpoint might be considered irrelevant, but there are things that we need to look at," Perry said.

Sawyer is suspended temporarily while facing the six federal counts, including wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

RELATED: Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer suspended following indictment

Perry said the burden is on prosecutors to prove it.

"As we dig into it, I think that the criminal intent and things like that have to be shown," the attorney said. "It's the government's duty to show it, and we tend to get every date on it to show that there was no intention to do anything criminal at all."

Prosecutors estimated trial would take four days, but Perry told Judge Sheryl Lipman he suspects the jury selection process could take more time than usual. 

"She's made a number of statements, and she's been a leader in her community. That said, different people might have opinions one way or the other regarding Miss Sawyer. So we want to get the 12 most fair individuals that we can to decide the case," said Perry.

RELATED: General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer indicted for theft, fraud, money laundering, officials say

Tuesday, Perry filed a motion for dismissal for lack of jurisdiction. He argued the indictment does not specify the alleged misuse of federal funds, an element needed for a federal criminal case.

"One thing that I do have a great deal of confidence in is our jury system, which tends to work at the end of the day," he said.

Sawyer is due back in court Aug. 19.