Mr Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, has said the investigation by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, is politically motivated.
A grand jury indictment will kick off a process in which Mr Trump will travel to Manhattan to face the charges. Here’s how it could play out.
If the grand jury votes to indict Mr. Trump, what happens next?
An indictment and arrest warrant will be filed under seal in court before they go public. Prosecutors will inform Mr Trump’s lawyers of the sealed indictment and negotiate a time and date for his surrender. The indictment will remain closed until Mr Trump is formally arrested and charged.
“We will not see a copy of that indictment or know for sure what the charges are until they are argued by a judge,” said Karen Agnifilo, a former prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
What if Mr. Trump surrenders?
A defendant who is permitted to surrender typically reports at an agreed date and time to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is attached to the Manhattan Criminal Court. Detective investigators from the District Attorney’s Office then arrest the defendant. This approach avoids the public spectacle of an arrest elsewhere – and the par walk that often comes with it.
If he surrenders and is arrested, Mr. Trump’s fingerprints will be scanned, his photograph taken for a mug shot and he will be interviewed by detective investigators, who will create an arrest report.
Ms. Agnifilo said, “And he will be issued a rap sheet reflecting this arrest, just like every other person arrested and fingerprinted in this country.”
After being processed, the accused are usually taken to a holding cell next to the courtroom to await indictment. Ms Agnifilo said Mr Trump was likely to receive some special accommodations out of security concerns and waive any wait on his impeachment.
Donald Mihalek, a retired senior Secret Service agent, said that the Secret Service and its agents are obligated under federal law to protect the former president in all circumstances, so they would accompany him during the booking process and impeachment. Mihalek, who worked on security details for former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said the Secret Service would turn the courthouse into a protective zone and bring Mr. Trump through a secure access point.
“My experience tells me, working with the court, the US Secret Service wants it to be a well-choreographed event, probably done with as little fanfare as possible and probably done as quietly as possible,” They said.
Will Mr. Trump be handcuffed?
This usually happens when a defendant surrenders. However, it is not clear whether an exception will be made in Mr Trump’s case. Mr. Mihalek said the Secret Service, court officials and the district attorney’s office would discuss before the surrender whether Mr. Trump could be handcuffed. Ms. Agnifilo and Mr. Mihalek said they thought handcuffing was unlikely.
What will happen in court?
During a court appearance, a judge will ask Mr Trump to enter a plea to the charges in the indictment. Mr Trump, as will most of the defendants, will almost certainly plead not guilty. Prosecutors and Mr Trump’s lawyers may also discuss scheduling matters and the process by which prosecutors will turn over evidence to the defence, known as discovery.
If charged with a low-level felony, Mr. Trump would likely be released on his own recognizance. He can return to his Florida residence the same day.
When will Mr. Trump go on trial?
Cases in New York take months, and often more than a year, to come to trial. While the case is pending, attorneys will likely file legal briefs and argue what jurors will be allowed to hear.
Mr Trump’s lawyers will almost certainly seek to dismiss any cases before trial, on the grounds that the allegations are untimely and unfair. Whatever may happen about Mr. Trump as jurors who may judge him unfairly for political reasons, he may move the indictment to trial outside Manhattan.