By Taylor Boggs ’16, Sports Editor

A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings’ running back was charged with felony regarding injury to his four-year-old son after using a switch—a tree branch stripped of its leaves—to discipline him. Police photos illustrated that the child was covered with cuts and bruises. Peterson wrote a statement which was released on twitter stating that he is “not a perfect parent, but [he is], without a doubt, not a child abuser.” However, the prosecutors in Montgomery County in Texas thought differently.

Peterson was expected to plead not guilty during his first court appearance. If convicted, he could spend a couple of years in prison and could be fined up to $10,000. Corporal punishment, which is legal in every U.S. state, is hard to define because the standards of discipline are based on what is typical in each individual community. Peterson said that he was just punishing his son the way that he had been disciplined while growing up in East Texas. The Texas Attorney General’s Office noted that belts and brushes are accepted by many as disciplinary tools.

On the Wednesday of his first trial, his attorney Rusty Hardin said no plea would be entered. The standing judge, Judge Kelly Case, set a trial date of December 1 but that could change if a different judge chairs. Another judge could chair because the prosecution requested to file a motion to recuse the judge from hearing the matter after he commented on the lawyers involved. (The motion to recuse will be heard on November 4 by another judge.)

The trial process could be lengthy and detrimental to Peterson’s career. First off, it could cause him to miss the rest of the regular 2014 NFL season. Secondly, it could give him a bad reputation—and he has already faced harsh criticism in the media. Also, under the NFL’s enhanced domestic violence policy, Peterson could be suspended for up to six weeks on top of federal punishment. Due to the trial process, the Vikings announced that Adrian will stay away from all team activities until the legal actions are resolved—but this is a paid leave. Peterson has agreed not to have contact with his child during the activities.

Regardless of the bad media, Hardin, Peterson’s attorney, said in an interview that Peterson “is a really good man that [he] is incredibly proud to represent. This is a case about parenting decisions and whether something unfortunate happened when a parenting decision was made by a man who believes strongly and loves his children very much.”