The corruption trial for Congressman William Jefferson, originally scheduled to start December 2, will likely be delayed until 2009.

Jefferson is up for election on December 6. In the heavily Democratic district that he represents, there is virtually zero chance he will be defeated.

Jefferson’s lawyers argued that a grand jury was presented evidencing violating the Constitution’s separation of the legislative and executive branch during his indictment.

Jefferson’s lawyers have tried all means to delay and obscure the case. Initially Jefferson was videotaped accepting $100,000 and charged with bribery. His lawyers argued it actually was more like influence peddling.

He also drew 12 opponents in the Democratic primary, the winner of which is almost guaranteed to win the general election. Despite receiving only 25% of the vote, he made it into a run-off against his only white opponent in a district overwhelmingly black. Jefferson narrowly won that run-off.

At this rate, this case could continue to drag on for years. As long as his lawyers can find minute and obscure legalities to cling to, Jefferson has hope of muddling this case beyond recognition. At once, it was a simple bribery case.