Trump’s criminal trial will begin with jury selection on March 25.
Topline
Former President Donald Trump will go to trial on criminal charges for the first time next month, a New York state judge affirmed Thursday, with Trump likely to be in court for weeks during his presidential campaign as he faces felony charges for alleged “hush-money” payments made during his 2016 campaign.Key Facts
Why is Trump on trial? Trump has been indicted on 34 felony counts for falsification of business records, after the ex-president allegedly reimbursed ex-attorney Michael Cohen for “hush-money” payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 campaign to cover up an alleged affair between her and Trump.
When will the trial begin, and how long will it last? The trial will begin on March 25 with jury selection, Judge Juan Merchan confirmed Thursday, predicting it will last approximately six weeks.
What will the schedule be? The trial will run in Manhattan from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, but will not take place on Wednesdays, or on April 29.
How will jurors be chosen? Merchan said there will be 18 jurors including six alternates, and it’s still being determined what questions prospective jurors will be asked, with Trump’s attorneys objecting Thursday to possible questions about whether jurors think the 2020 election was “stolen” but saying they want to ask about their political affiliations.
