Five things to know about Donald Trump's first criminal trial

He will become the first former US president to go on criminal trial whenjury selection begins next week.
Here are the key questions ahead of the landmark trial:
- What is Trump accused of? -
As Trump closed in on victory in the 2016 presidential election, adult filmstar Stormy Daniels was paid $130,000 to keep quiet about an alleged 2006sexual tryst with Trump.
The payments, made by Trump's lawyer at the time, Michael Cohen, wererevealed by The Wall Street Journal in January 2018.
Prosecutors have seized on the concealment of the payments as "legal fees"in the Trump Organization's accounts when Cohen was reimbursed as the heart oftheir case.
Prosecutors say Trump "concealed the reason for these payments... whichclearly were paid in order to influence voters," former prosecutor BennettGershman, now a lecturer at Pace University, told AFP.
A New York grand jury indicted Trump in March 2023 over the payments madeto Daniels -- whose real name is Stephanie Clifford -- with the ex-presidentcharged with 34 counts of falsifying business records. The case is being heardin a state-level court.
- What is the case for the defense? -
When the scandal broke, then-president Trump denied any relationship withDaniels, insisting he knew nothing about the payment, eventually claiming itwas to thwart attempted extortion.
He pleaded not guilty and attacked the trial as a political witch hunt.Trump's lawyers will question the reliability of ally-turned-enemy Cohen'srecall, and insist the case has no merit.
Prosecutors will show that the Trump camp has form covering up embarrassingaffairs with money, based on two other similar payments.
- Who will decide the case? -
Trump's fate will be decided by twelve jurors, backed by six alternates,selected from a randomly chosen pool of Manhattan residents.
Each will be questioned about their view of Trump and their ability toremain impartial, with the defense, prosecution and the judge all able to bringchallenges. The process could last up to two weeks.
Jurors, who must return a unanimous verdict, will remain anonymous fortheir protection.
- Could Trump go to prison? -
Trump could theoretically be jailed if he is found guilty, with a prisonsentence of up to four years for each of the 34 felony counts.
However, the judge has the discretion to impose just a fine, or alternativesentences including probation, acknowledging 77-year-old Trump's age and cleancriminal history.
Lack of remorse could go against him, but legal challenges to any sentencewould likely delay sentencing. Conviction would not stop Trump's presidentialrun.
- How long will the case last? -
The court says around six to eight weeks, with hearings scheduled everyweekday except Wednesday meaning that, if guilty, sentencing could happenbefore the November polls.
A variety of legal challenges and maneuvers could delay that timeline, withTrump's lawyers stepping up their appeals and challenges in recent weeks,already securing a delay of the trial from March 25 to April 15, reports BSS.
Unlike other major trials like that of O.J. Simpson, who died on Thursday,Trump's will not be televised, according to New York State law.