Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peters plans to plead not guilty to child abuse charges when he makes his first appearance in a Texas court tomorrow.
ESPN.com reports that Mary Flood, the spokesperson for Peterson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told the media organization via email that the star running back is insistent on pleading not guilty to charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. The charges followed an incident in which Peterson used a tree branch to discipline his 4-year-old son earlier this year.
Peterson is scheduled for his first appearance in Montgomery County, Texas court for 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
"If the court asks for a plea tomorrow [and we do expect that to happen], it will very definitely be NOT guilty," Flood wrote in an email to ESPN.com on Tuesday. "We hope that a trial date is also discussed but don't yet know how the court's docket is looking."
Pleading guilty could potentially expedite Peterson's return to the field. If Peterson continues to insist on a not guilty plea, the wait for a trial date and the actual trial would almost assuredly mean that he will not return to game action during the 2014 season.
Phil Grant, a Montgomery County assistant DA, said that standard case for similar charges typically takes nine to 12 months before a trial begins. Flood did not want to speculate on how quickly a trial date could be set.
"I hope we learn more tomorrow," Flood said, "but it's possible that we won't get a date tomorrow and we'll just get the beginnings of discussions about a date."
Peterson was placed on the NFL's exempt/commissioner's permission list on Sept. 17 as the NFL waits for the legal process to take its course. Peterson is barred from all team activities while on the exempt list but he is still eligible to receive his full $11.75 million salary.
Peterson continued to maintain his innocence last month through a statement issued by Hardin saying, "I never ever intended to harm my son. I will say the same thing once I have my day in court."
If convicted, Peterson could face six months to two years in state prison. However, as a first-time offender he could be placed on probation. Peterson could also face discipline from the NFL upon his return.
