Donald Trump has been at the center of several historic legal events. He became the first former U.S. president subject to multiple formal dismissal processes and political inquiries, with the possibility of criminal charges emerging amid a charged, polarized atmosphere. The developments stir widespread debate about the paths the case might take and the potential for previously unseen materials to surface in the investigation.
grand jury
For an indictment to be considered, a vote by the grand jury is required. The panel, which may include up to 23 members, is led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under the oversight of District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The prosecutors present evidence and call witnesses, including testimony related to payments of $130,000 arranged in October 2016. At issue is whether Trump, through his former personal attorney Michael Cohen, engaged in a sexual relationship with Stormy Daniels prior to the presidential election, a claim Daniels has publicly denied. The purpose of the grand jury session is to determine whether the evidence supports moving forward with charges.
Following the evidence presentation, the defense team may attempt to undermine Cohen’s credibility. The district attorney’s office then reviews the findings to decide if charges should be brought and which statutes may apply. If the grand jury votes to indict, the office prepares formal accusations, and the grand jury foreperson signs the indictment.
The next stage involves presenting the sealed indictment to the court. After that, defense counsel is notified and arrangements are made to bring the document to the authorities. The process can take several days before the case proceeds to court.
Arrest or surrender
At present, Trump is reported to be in Florida. If charges are filed, decisions about the next steps must be made. It is possible that he could participate in his first investigative proceeding via video, though a report cited by a campaign source noted that he would travel to New York “in all safety.”
Reports from major outlets indicate that Trump would surrender to face charges in New York, and arrangements would typically involve traveling from his Palm Beach residence to the state for the investigative hearing. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets have quoted lawyers close to the case as confirming a surrender plan, though official actions may vary with time.
If a voluntary surrender does not occur, a formal custody order could be issued by New York authorities. While such a scenario is considered unlikely, it would introduce an extradition process between Florida and New York. Governor Ron DeSantis, who has not announced a bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has publicly stated that he would not intervene in a surrender decision. This political dynamic adds complexity to the legal proceedings.
booked
After surrender or arrest, the usual booking procedures apply. The process is a controlled sequence involving documentation, fingerprinting, and photography. A Miranda warning is administered to remind the detainee of rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel; if a private attorney is unavailable, counsel is provided.
Following booking, charges are formally filed and a preliminary court appearance is scheduled. The defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, and a subsequent hearing date is set. Given the nature of the counts under discussion, a bond request is possible but not guaranteed, depending on the charges and the defendant’s risk assessment.
As a former president, Trump would likely have heightened protection from Secret Service agents assigned to his security. These personnel work alongside other law enforcement officials within the courthouse environment. It remains an open question whether he would appear in court with hands cuffed; modern practice varies by case specifics and security assessments. Multiple reports note that authorities would consider the circumstances before making such a determination, aligning with procedures used in high-profile cases.