Here is the full transcript of what transpired in the courtroom during former Pres. Trump's arraignment hearing, according to records that were released.
The former president's court hearing lasted 57 minutes.Former President Donald Trump appears in court at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 4, 2023.lasted 57 minutes, according to court records.
JUDGE MERCHAN: Good afternoon. This matter is on for arraignment. Anything that we need to address before we conduct the arraignment?JUDGE MERCHAN: Let's arraign Mr. Trump. This office has long prioritized protecting the integrity of business records maintained here in New York County.That is what this defendant did when he falsified business records in order to conceal unlawful efforts to promote his candidacy and that is why we are here.
They have directly addressed the grand jury and disparaged witnesses who have purportedly participated in our investigation. We have significant concern about the potential danger this kind of rhetoric poses to our city, to potential jurors and witnesses, and to the judicial process. We are considering whether further relief or conditions would be warranted here based on continuing developments, and we would be prepared to submit briefing if the Court requests.
Last on my list, we would like to bring to your attention a potential conflict Mr. Tacopina may have, given our understanding that he previously had privileged communications with Stormy Daniels, who we expect to be a witness in this case. At this point, if it is okay, I was going to turn to Ms. McCaw to talk about discovery and other issues.BLANCHE: Your Honor, thank you. I didn't realize we were going to give opening statements today.Your Honor, the People just talked for 10 minutes or so about, it sounds like the strength of their case.
That being said, your Honor, for the People to stand before you today and give their version of this indictment, is actually exasperating the problem. Thereafter, as I said, the People's main witness has talked repeatedly, not only on the courthouse steps, but on every news, every news show and print media. He has written two books, he has a podcast all talking about the case.I mean, imagine anybody in this courtroom that was in that position, an investigation that lasted over three years, over three years with leaks galore.
And then he's frustrated and comments publicly about that; you can, I think, discuss words that are used, but everyone of these posts are not threats, they are not harassment, and rhetoric that maybe the People don't like, sure.
Also, please do not engage in words or conduct which jeopardizes the rule of law, particularly as it applies to these proceedings in this courtroom. So, to begin with, with respect to a protective order, the People believe, especially in light of the defendant's public comments, that a protective order is vital to insure the sanctity of the proceedings as well as the sanctity of the discovery materials.
So, I just want to highlight the three terms. These are terms which the defense and the People have reached broad agreement. And I would note again, for the record, that should the defendant after the Court enters an order violate any of the materials of this protective order, he could be in contempt of Court.
Former President Donald Trump appears in court for an arraignment on charges stemming from his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury in this courtroom sketch, Apr. 4, 2023 in New York City.TACOPINA: One thing on the protective order. I know the D.A. said the review by the defendant would have to be in the attorney's office. That will not happen. I thought it was in the attorney's presence. We would meet most likely at the office of President Trump.
We believe this group of discovery materials will be the bulk of the People's additional discovery materials, and we expect we will be able to produce those materials within the 65 days allocated by the statute for voluminous discovery materials. The People intend to request a trial date in January of 2024. So, we would like to produce these materials to the defense as quickly as possible to allow the defense ample time to prepare for a trial in January of 2024.BLANCHE: Your Honor, I'll not repeat what I said before. This has been a long investigation. We don't have any discovery yet.
The message I would like to deliver is we would like to move ahead as expeditiously as possible, without undue delay. JUDGE MERCHAN: I would. So, you know, ordinarily you get 45 days. I know this is a much more complex case. As you have seen in a couple of recent cases I presided over, I did extend the motion schedule. What did you have in mind?I would like to answer that in two parts, if I could. One, we strongly believe there will be substantive motions addressing the substantive facts of the indictment that could be dispositive.
So, motions -- and we will communicate with the People and with the Court as we land on the specifics of which motions and the timing, but some of the motions potentially dismissing the indictment after we had a chance to review discovery. So, I don't know if it is worth setting a date now.
I would also like to say that to the extent that the defense does intend to file a set of motions immediately, and wants additional time after the discovery is complete to file a second set, we ask a motion schedule be set at this date for the first set of motions rather than waiting for a later date to set that motion schedule.JUDGE MERCHAN: All right, so the 65 days would bring us out to almost mid June, at this point.
But, those dates you just described, assuming the schedule stays as the People have suggested works with us. MCCAW: So, if we could get six weeks from the date of the filing of their motions, in light of the amount of time they will have had to prepare the motions, we request a date of Sept. 19. She spoke to an associate and paralegal. Gave some facts. Sent over a document, and it went no further than that.
She testified in open court about her attempt to secure representation prior to retaining Mr. Avenatti. There are three different law firms here. It is as simple as that. So obviously, I wanted to give the Court our position on the factual assessment.CONROY: Judge, it is a combination of the letter we received, which I can file with the Court in short order.
So, Mr. Tacopina, Mr. Trump, as you know, you have an absolute right to conflict-free representation. You have the right to be present at every stage of the proceedings in your case. At every proceeding involved in the case, and that is obviously a very, very important right because it allows you to assist your attorneys in your defense of you.
Specifically, I would like to refer to two specific areas. You can waive your right to be present if you voluntarily absent yourself from the proceedings. If for some reason I'm unable to have my decisions ready or not all the decisions ready, I will certainly let you know. JUDGE MERCHAN: You probably don't know now because you are not making the application. What would be the reason asking to waive his appearance?
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