Ajit Karn
Donald Trump, the first former US president to be criminally charged, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents. Trump, 76, is the first former US president to be criminally charged.
According to court records, former US president Donald Trump spoke only six times, including when he entered his not guilty plea, during the nearly hour-long arraignment hearing in Manhattan.
At his arraignment in Manhattan criminal court on Tuesday afternoon, Trump, 76, the first former US President to be criminally charged, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential elections.
According to the transcript of Trump’s arraignment, he spoke six times, almost entirely in monosyllables, during the nearly hour-long court proceeding before Judge Juan Merchan.
The court clerk replied, “Mr. Trump, the grand jury of New York County has filed indictment 71543 of 2023 charging you with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.” What is your plea to this charge, guilty or not guilty?”
He responded, “Not guilty.”
When Merchan stated, “Mr. Trump, as you are aware, you have an absolute right to conflict-free representation,” Trump was aware of his right. The People have asserted that Mr. (Joseph) Tacopina may have a potential conflict of interest because he may have represented a former client who is a witness in this case….I only wish to inform you of this because it is a fundamental privilege. I also want to ask, “Mr. Trump, do you understand that correctly?”
Yes, Trump replied.
Merchan added, “Therefore, the People are not filing a motion at this time, but you are welcome to consult with other counsel, run this issue by them, and see how you feel about it when the trial is over, okay?” Trump responded, “All right, thank you.”
Judge Merchan then stated that he is required by law to inform Trump that he can relinquish his right to attend these proceedings. “I would like to specifically address two specific topics. “By voluntarily absenting yourself from the proceeding, you can waive your right to be present.”
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“Therefore, if it is determined that you chose not to be present at some point in the future, I have the authority and the right to conclude that you voluntarily renounced your right to be present and continue the proceedings in your absence. “Do you comprehend that?” the adjudicator said.
Trump replied “Yes.”
