Follow the live broadcast President Trump's hush money trial.
The hundreds of New Yorkers who sit for jury duty in Manhattan on Monday morning will have an experience not written into the history books. They will be examined as jurors in the trial of the former US president.
The job will not be easy. Lawyers for Donald J. Trump and prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office plan to narrow the jury to 12 people and several alternates. Both sides will raise dozens of questions that have been discussed and debated for weeks and will seek to identify bias that could change the outcome of the trial.
Jurors will be required to answer each question honestly in an intimidating environment in close proximity to the former president, who is expected to be present for much of the trial.
Here's what we know about this process:
Who are the potential jurors?
The jury is made up of Manhattanites. Beyond that, little is known about this group, even by prosecutors and defense attorneys. Both sides will spend the coming days and weeks trying to figure out as much as they can.
New York state does not allow jurors to operate in complete anonymity, so the parties, including the former president, will know the names of the jurors. Lawyers will also have access to your address. (Trump won't do that)
The public may never know the names of the jurors. The judge in the case, Juan M. Marchan, granted prosecutors' request for an injunction.
What will they be asked?
After reading a summary of the allegations, Judge Machan will ask potential jurors whether they think they can be fair and impartial. You will also be asked if you have any schedule conflicts that would prevent you from participating every day in a trial that may last more than six weeks. Those who raise concerns will likely be removed from the pool.
All remaining jurors will be asked the same questions. One by one, they speak briefly and vaguely about their occupation, education, and family. Where do they get their news? What radio stations and podcasts do they listen to? Have they read any books written by Trump or Michael D. Cohen? You can also ask me.
Other questions will be more pointed. Jurors will be asked if they have ever volunteered or attended a campaign event for Mr. Trump or his opponents. They will also be asked to express their feelings and opinions about how Trump is being treated in this case.
However, jurors are not asked how they have voted in past elections, who they plan to vote for, whether they have made political contributions or registered with a political party.
How are potential jurors removed?
Mr. Trump's legal team and District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg can object to the hiring of potential jurors by presenting specific reasons why they believe the jury will not be fair and impartial. . The judge has the final say.
Both sides also have a set number of opportunities to dismiss jurors without explanation. After all challenged jurors are removed from the jury list, Judge Marchan will sit with the remaining jurors in the jury box.
How will Mr. Trump get involved?
If Trump's actions in previous trials are any guide, he will likely have a significant role in jury selection. In previous defamation cases, Mr. Trump was attached to jurors from the moment they entered the courtroom. He spun around in his chair and watched them answer biographical questions. He frequently spoke with his lawyer.
But Trump's comments about the jury in this case begin and should stop there. In addition to being ordered not to reveal their names, Trump has also been given a gag order by Judge Murchan that prevents him from speaking publicly about them.
