President Donald Trump’s criminal trial over his alleged mishandling of classified documents has been tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 14.
According to ABC News, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon posted the scheduling order on Tuesday. The Florida federal judge’s order establishes multiple filing deadlines for Trump’s lawyers and the Justice Department prior to the start of the trial. The order requires that all pretrial motions be filed prior to July 24.
The former president was recently indicted on 37 charges by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department. While Trump’s first court appearance and arraignment took place in Miami, the trial will take place at a courthouse in Fort Pierce.
Although Tuesday’s court order tentatively outlines the start of the classified documents criminal trial, experts expect the court date to change based on legal issues that will need to be resolved before the start of the trial, according to CNBC News.
The Southern District of Florida has a reputation for its “rocket docket.” Compared with other federal jurisdictions, judges in the Southern District of Florida are known for quickly scheduling trials. However, CNBC reported that in cases such as Trump’s classified documents trial, prosecutors and defense lawyers often agree to delay a trial’s start date in order for both sides to adequately prepare for the case and agree on the evidence presented to the jury.
“I wouldn’t foresee this thing getting tried within a year,” Tim Parlatore, a former Trump lawyer, recently told Axios. “I can foresee some fairly substantive motions to dismiss. I could also see them going through several discovery motions, and there will be fights over disclosure. I think each round of motions is going to take three months.”
On Monday, a Florida magistrate judge ruled that the former president cannot disclose any of the evidence presented against him with the public. Monday’s ruling also limits Trump by allowing him to only view the evidence in the classified documents criminal trial under direct supervision of his lawyers, preventing Trump from being able to retain any evidence related to the case.
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
