Jerry Sandusky: Former Penn State assistant football coach to be sentenced in child sex abuse case

(CBS/AP) BELLEFONTE, Pa. - Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will appear before a Pennsylvania judge today and learn his sentence after being convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse in June.

Pictures: Jerry Sandusky convicted of child abuse

Sandusky, 68, was scheduled to appear in front of John Cleland on Tuesday, which will begin with a ruling on whether or not he qualifies as a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania's version of Megan's Law.

Sandusky lawyer Joe Amendola said "it's as certain as certain can be" that Sandusky will address Cleland and assert his innocence before he is sentenced.

"What I anticipate he'll say is he's innocent," Amendola said Monday.

Given the number of charges, the serious nature of his crimes and his age, Sandusky faces the likelihood of a life sentence in state prison. Sandusky was convicted in June of abusing 10 boys over 15 years, including some attacks inside Penn State athletic facilities.

The eight victims who testified against Sandusky at trial described abuse that ranged from grooming and fondling to oral and anal sex. Sandusky did not take the stand, but gave interviews shortly after his arrest in which he declared he was not guilty.

Karl Rominger, another Sandusky defense lawyer, said a 30-year minimum sentence - which would keep Sandusky behind bars at least until he's nearly 100 - was probably the most the defense could hope for.

Prosecutors also arrested two Penn State administrators last year and charged them with lying to the grand jury that investigated Sandusky and failing to properly report suspected abuse. Tim Curley, the athletic director on leave, and Gary Schultz, a retired vice president for business and finance, deny the charges and await trial.

The case led to the firing of longtime head football coach Joe Paterno, who died from lung cancer in January, and the ouster of university president Graham Spanier, who remains a faculty member. Eight legal teams that represent at least 20 victims or other potential civil claimants have surfaced, and Penn State has indicated its desire to settle claims out of court.

After the sentencing hearing, Sandusky most likely would be sent to Camp Hill state prison. There, he would be tested and evaluated by Department of Corrections personnel, who will determine to which institution he will be sent.

Complete coverage of the Jerry Sandusky trial on CBSNews.com