Of course, all of that is moot if Workman is acquitted. She maintains she will be on the basis that, while she admits to making mistakes, she had no criminal intent.

Nevertheless, Workman's admitted lack of attention to detail and procedural violations may prove to be a double-edged sword: She may escape criminal punishment but suffer political retribution at the same time.

"That's one of the most interesting aspects of this case," former U.S. attorney Brent Ward said. "She was smart enough to galvanize the electorate to support her, and then stupid enough to not realize what she was doing in this situation."

Workman's attorney, Greg Skordas, wants to put the case on the fastest of fast tracks, completing the trial before the general election on Nov. 2. While Yocom has serious doubts that a court could accommodate that kind of speed, he said he would be OK with it.

"I think we can be prepared," he said.

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com