The dramatic conviction of Utah mother Kouri Richins has closed one chapter of a headline-grabbing case—but what comes next may stretch on for years.

As previously reported by NewsNation and other outlets, Richins was found guilty of aggravated murder and multiple related charges in the 2022 fentanyl poisoning death of her husband, Eric Richins. Prosecutors argued she administered a lethal dose—reportedly several times higher than what would normally kill—leading to a swift and unanimous jury verdict. Now, the focus shifts to sentencing, appeals, and the long legal road ahead.

Richins is scheduled to be sentenced in May, where a judge—not a jury—will determine how much time she will spend behind bars. She faces a minimum of 25 years to life in prison, but the exact outcome remains uncertain. The judge will consider several factors, including a probation report, arguments from both sides, and emotional victim impact statements from Eric Richins’ family.

Those statements are expected to play a powerful role. Family members may describe how the loss has affected them, potentially influencing whether Richins receives life with or without the possibility of parole. While she will have the opportunity to speak at sentencing, legal experts suggest defendants in similar cases often choose to remain silent.

After sentencing, Richins will be transferred from county jail to a state prison facility, where she will begin serving what is almost certain to be a lengthy sentence.

But the legal fight won’t end there.

Richins’ defense team is expected to file an appeal—a process that can take months or even years. Attorneys will comb through trial records, looking for potential legal errors or issues that could justify overturning the conviction or granting a new trial. One possible argument could center on the trial’s location, as her legal team previously attempted to move proceedings out of Summit County.

Once an appeal is filed, prosecutors will respond, and higher courts will review the case. That process can involve written briefs, oral arguments, and multiple layers of judicial review before a final decision is reached.

Notably, prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty, a decision reportedly made in consultation with the victim’s family. Legal analysts say the complexities of the case—including family dynamics and the challenges of securing a unanimous death sentence—likely factored into that choice.

There is also the question of civil action, though experts believe it’s unlikely. With limited financial resources and Richins expected to remain incarcerated, any attempt to recover damages would be difficult.

For now, the case remains a sobering example of how a high-profile trial doesn’t end with a verdict. Instead, it opens the door to years of legal proceedings—while one family continues to seek closure after a devastating loss.