- This is a lawsuit, not criminal charges. It could be bad for Musk (see: Engoron decision) but there is no risk of arrest or jail. Yet.
- Defendants who lose lawsuits cannot be pardoned. Only criminal charges can be pardoned.
- “All parties must be present” means someone on the defendant’s side must be present. It is not unusual for only the lawyer(s) to attend.
- The case has been moved to federal court for now. But it could be moved back if the federal court decides it belongs in state court.
Summary judgment just means neither side needs to call witnesses or engage in discovery.
I’m not sure that applies here, but if so it doesn’t necessarily favor the DA.