On December 5, 1956 Mandela was arrested with most of the ANC for“high treason” against the state. Their trial began on January 9, 1957 but had to get a new judge in January 1958. This judge ruled that there was “sufficient reason” for the defendants to go on trial for high treason and that they potentially faced the death penalty. The official Treason Trial began in August 1958, the judges produced a verdict of not guilty. After the trial, Mandela went into hiding and disguised himself as a chauffeur so he could attend the meetings with ANC members. Many strikes were planned and many other events which embarrassed the government and police. The police put out a warrant for his arrest. He continued to move around secretly to plan meetings and boycotts. He was caught and arrested on August 5, 1962 after living on the run for 17 months and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort.