![A look at Donald Trump’s criminal trial in 21 images](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148008325-1.jpg)
A look at the start of this historic trial in 21 images and facts.
The first time
![The first time](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829021.jpg)
The trial in New York began on April 15, 2024, marking the first time an American president, sitting or not, has been criminally prosecuted.
Bribes
![Bribes](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829011.jpg)
Former President Trump is accused of paying bribes as part of payments to silence Stormy Daniels.
Up to 8 weeks
![Up to 8 weeks](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829687.jpg)
Trump must be present throughout the trial, which will run four days a week and could last eight weeks.
Jury selection
![Jury selection](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147828907.jpg)
The jury selection process has begun, with accusations of alleged payments to Stormy Daniels hidden as legal fees.
130000$
![130000$](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829277.jpg)
A $130,000 payment orchestrated by Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is at the center of the trial.
Campaign finance laws
![Campaign finance laws](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829016.jpg)
Charges include potential violation of campaign finance laws, election interference and fraud.
34 charges
![34 charges](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829191.jpg)
Donald Trump faces 34 counts related to falsification of business records.
4 years
![4 years](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147828961.jpg)
The maximum penalty for conviction is four years in prison.
Michael Cohen
![Michael Cohen](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829014.jpg)
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, could testify despite being convicted of separate tax offenses.
Stormy Daniels
![Stormy Daniels](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829194.jpg)
Testimony is also being considered from Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels) and Karen McDougal, who claim to have had affairs with Trump and received hush payments during the 2016 campaign.
Major legal significance
![Major legal significance](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148012140-1.jpg)
This trial is of major legal importance and could set significant precedents in American legal history.
New York
![New York](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-Attorney-Christopher-Kise-Attorney-Cliff-Robert-GettyImages-2148010878-1.jpg)
All eyes are on New York as this captivating story unfolds.
The beginning
![The beginning](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148010487-1.jpg)
The trial has just begun, with jury selection and opening arguments from the prosecutors!
Facing the media
![Facing the media](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-Todd-Blanche-GettyImages-2148012581-1.jpg)
Trump was accompanied by his lawyer, Todd Blanche, to face the media.
Stormy Daniels
![Stormy Daniels](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-GettyImages-2148010879-1.jpg)
In particular, Trump is accused of having concealed payments to Stormy Daniels that he had initially denied before later admitting that she had indeed received a significant sum of money. How these payments were made is at the heart of the case.
Falsifying documents
![Falsifying documents](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148007163-1.jpg)
Trump will also have to face charges from prosecutors about falsifying documents.
A scandal
![A scandal](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-GettyImages-2148010955-1.jpg)
Prosecutors say the charges are related to an attempt to cover up a potential scandal that occurred before and after the 2016 presidential election.
Unprecedented
![Unprecedented](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-Todd-Blanche-GettyImages-2148012470-1.jpg)
This unprecedented criminal trial, preceded by meticulous jury selection by the defense, is attracting intense interest from the media, Americans and the world!
The 2016 election
![The 2016 election](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148007907-1.jpg)
Prosecutors argue that Trump took part in a meeting for the purpose of falsifying legal documents.
The defense
![The defense](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148011941-1.jpg)
In their opening arguments, the defense asserts that all actions taken in this case were carried out legally, from their point of view.