Donald Trump on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to 37 counts alleging he mishandled classified documents, the first step in what figures to be a lengthy process, The Washington Post reports.
And although there was no mention during the former president’s 45-minute court appearance of when Trump must make his next court appearance, The Post Tuesday offered a guide of what to expect going forward.
The report notes that, over the coming weeks, the case enters a pre-trial period in which the government will work with Trump’s lawyers to determine how turn over evidence against the former president in what’s called the “discovery” process, which will also include discussion over how to handle classified information and how long to pause the federal 70-day requirement for a speedy trial.
Attorneys for both sides will be able to argue disputes over the handling of evidence and what evidence can be presented at trial during pretrial hearings.
After such pretrial hearings, a defendant will have an opportunity to plead guilty or go to trial.
After a jury adjudicates the case, a defendant is found either guilty or not guilty. Only a guilty verdict is subject to appeal.
The final step would be sentencing if the case results in a guilty verdict.
