For the first time in history, a former president is on trial in the United States.
Donald Trump has arrived in New York for a court hearing on his payment of $130,000 to a porn actress for keeping quiet about a relationship with him to avoid the impact of publicity on the 2016 election campaign. In total, the former US president is charged with 34 counts, each of which could see him face up to four years in prison.
Thus, if the jury finds him guilty on all counts, Trump could face up to 136 years in prison.
During the hearing, the judge and defense attorneys will select 12 jurors from hundreds of potential jurors. The defense and prosecution will then argue their positions in opening statements.
The prosecution will then present evidence to the jury in the case and invite its witnesses to the court. It will then be up to Trump's defense side to respond to those allegations. Trump himself is not required to testify in court.
The entire trial is expected to take six to eight weeks.