:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/adn/EOF466VCZELQQE7GEGN743J4TE.jpg)
Donald Trump has been charged in connection with the investigation into hundreds of classified documents that were taken to his Mar-a-Lago home after he left the White House, he and others revealed Thursday.
Now, special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors must prove their case in court, battling Trump’s legal team as they challenge the charges and evidence against the former president. It’s a process that could stretch out for months - or years - before a Florida jury may get to render a verdict or a plea deal is reached.
Here is what you need to know about the legal process and what to expect along the way.
What is an indictment?
An indictment is a written statement of criminal charges against a person approved by a grand jury, a group of 23 people who consider whether there is probable cause that person committed a crime.
What is the case about?
The investigation involves whether Trump or those close to him mishandled classified documents or obstructed government efforts to retrieve them after leaving the White House in January 2021.
A dispute over the presidential records is what ultimately led to a historic FBI search of the former president’s home in Florida last August, and to the discovery of classified documents including information about a foreign country’s nuclear capabilities.
It’s one of many ongoing investigations involving Trump.
What are the charges?
The actual indictment against Trump has not yet been disclosed. But people familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe a still sealed case, said a seven-count indictment has been filed in federal court naming the former president as a criminal defendant. The charges include illegal retention of government secrets, obstruction of justice and conspiracy, the people said.
Will Trump be arrested?
Trump has said he has been summoned to self-report to the U.S. District Court in Miami at 3 p.m. Tuesday - meaning he won’t be arrested. Trump is already under constant U.S. Secret Service protection.
What will happen next in court?
Trump will be brought before a federal judge and may be asked to enter a plea at a formal arraignment. A judge will set release conditions after hearing from prosecutors and the defense. Through his lawyers, Trump might have to promise to show up at future proceedings, not violate any laws, and to abide by possible travel restrictions or notification requirements.
What are the charges?
The actual indictment against Trump has not yet been disclosed. But people familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe a still sealed case, said a seven-count indictment has been filed in federal court naming the former president as a criminal defendant. The charges include illegal retention of government secrets, obstruction of justice and conspiracy, the people said.
Will Trump be arrested?
Trump has said he has been summoned to self-report to the U.S. District Court in Miami at 3 p.m. Tuesday - meaning he won’t be arrested. Trump is already under constant U.S. Secret Service protection.
What will happen next in court?
Trump will be brought before a federal judge and may be asked to enter a plea at a formal arraignment. A judge will set release conditions after hearing from prosecutors and the defense. Through his lawyers, Trump might have to promise to show up at future proceedings, not violate any laws, and to abide by possible travel restrictions or notification requirements.