Everything we know about Trump surrendering to court - from mugshot to DNA swab
Former US president Donald Trump is expected to hand himself in at the lower Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday, April 4, as he faces indictment. He will be the first former president in the United States' roughly 250 year history to be indicted.
The businessman is facing indictment on charges relating to 'hush money' payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
While the payments themselves were not illegal, the way Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen's reimbursement was recorded in accounts has caused the 45th president some trouble.
Trump has now been accused of falsifying his business records by recording the payments as legal fees.
The indictment has been filed under seal, and details containing official charges against him will not be made public until a judge has read out the charges against him.
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Security outside the Trump Tower in New York (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Leaving Florida on Monday afternoon, April 3, Trump took to social media platform Truth Social to bolster supporters, posting: "HEADING TO NEW YORK. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!".
He followed this up with another post, condemning the indictment, which read: "WITCH HUNT, as our once great Country is going to HELL!".
What could happen on the day
Mr Trumpwill stay in his Trump Tower building, on 5th Avenue on Monday night before heading to the lower Manhattan courthouse to turn himself in on Tuesday, April 4.
The New York City court said Mr Trump's arraignment will take place on Tuesday at 2pm local time (7pm BST).
(AFP via Getty Images)Mr Trump will be accompanied all the time by a team of Secret Service agents.
Security in the area surrounding Trump Tower has been fortified in case of any protesters or demonstrations which could take place. The FBI, New York City police and the US Secret Service are coordinating the massive security operation.
Road closures are also expected in the surrounding streets as Trump arrives at the building on Monday and leaves for the courthouse on Tuesday.
Donald Trump’s plane takes off from Palm Beach International Airport (Sky News)NYPD officers have reportedly been told to be 'ready to respond', should there be a swell in demonstrators both for and against the indictment of the former president.
Barricades have also been erected in the area surrounding Trump Tower and near the courthouse.
It is expected Trump will be accompanied by the Secret Service during his journey to the courthouse, and through the processing system.
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Security is increased around Trump Tower (Getty Images)However, it is not yet clear whether Mr Trump will have to face the 'perp walk', through crowds of onlookers and reporters, or will be granted private access to the court through a side door, as his legal team suggests he might.
No handcuffs - but he WILL have mugshot taken
After confusion, debates and varying reports, information has come to light suggesting that the former president of the United States will not be put into handcuffs.
His legal team claims an agreement has been struck that he will not be handcuffed - and tonight his lawyers have asked for the arraignment not to be televised at all.
In a letter to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, they said they oppose media outlets' requests to show it on TV.
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They said: "We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence."
The standard procedure when a defendant is either taken to a courthouse or turns themselves in is that they have finger prints taken, a DNA swab and mugshots.
It is almost certain that this will happen to the former president, though exact details have not yet been confirmed.
Court police walk outside of Manhattan Criminal Courthouse as the city prepares for the arrival of Mr Trump (Getty Images)He will also have his 'Miranda' rights read to him, which are read to defendants to remind them of their right to a lawyer and not to talk to police.
Secret Service agents will remain with Trump throughout, as he will then be transferred to a holding area or cell until his appearance before a judge.
Again, it has not been revealed whether any special measures have been put in place considering the gravity of the case and profile of defendant.
The arraignment
Trump's arraignment is expected to take place at around 2pm local time on Tuesday, April 4, or 7pm BST. It will be held in public and some media organisations have petitioned to allow cameras in court.
This is when the document containing details of the official charges against him will be read out by a judge, revealing the full charges to the public for the first time.
It is here that he is expected to enter his plea.
Release conditions will then likely be discussed, including any travel restrictions or home confinement.
After this, it's likely the former president will be released ahead of another court date, though a full trial could take a while to have a definitive date set.
It will remain unclear when a trial might take place but decisions about how long the trial will take and which judge will preside over it should be made.
Mr Trump will almost certainly be released on bail and fly home to Florida.
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