Donald Trump: What you need to know about his hush money trial

Former President Donald Trump finds himself in a New York courtroom as the process of jury selection gears up for his landmark criminal hush money trial. Trump stands as the first former U.S. president to stand trial for criminal charges.

The jury selection phase is set to commence shortly, with the aim of seating a panel of 12 New Yorkers along with six alternates. Prospective jurors will undergo scrutiny, including questioning that may reveal their political inclinations.

At the center of the case lies the Manhattan district attorney’s charges against Trump, filed last year, which include 34 felony counts related to the alleged falsification of business records.

These charges stem from Trump’s purported involvement in a hush money scheme aimed at silencing his alleged mistresses prior to the 2016 presidential election. Trump has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty and vehemently denying any involvement in the alleged affairs.

The significance of this trial is profound, as it marks one of four criminal cases that Trump currently faces while poised to be the presumptive 2024 GOP nominee. It stands out as potentially the sole case to proceed to trial before the upcoming election.

If convicted, Trump could potentially face jail time, underscoring the gravity of the proceedings.