Why was Donald Trump indicted? Is he under arrest? What you need to know

Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY

April 4, 2023 at 4:16 PM·4 min read

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in New York after surrendering at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on Tuesday afternoon in a historic moment.

A New York grand jury voted last week to indict Trump. It's the first time a former U.S. president has been charged with a crime.

Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. You can read a copy of the indictment against the former president here.

Trump’s attorneys have vowed to fight it. And Trump shared a statement criticizing what he called “Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history."

Here’s a look at USA TODAY’s coverage and what you need to know about the historic indictment.

Read the Trump indictment: Donald Trump charged with crimes in New York

Trump after arrest: What's next legally and politically for the former president?

Politics: Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Trump to Jesus before his arrest and arraignment in New York

Live updates: Trump surrenders at Manhattan DA's Office, arraignment to follow

Trump arrived at the DA’s office at 1:23 p.m. EST following a short trip from his Trump Tower residence. He is accompanied by his Secret Service detail, which is expected to be at his side through the process, including his appearance before a judge in the Criminal Courts Building in lower Manhattan.

Trump, who has denied the charges, entered a not guilty plea in court.

– Josh Meyer

Trump indictment live updates: Trump under arrest in New York, arraignment to follow

What is an arraignment?: What the legal proceeding means following Trump's indictment

What is a grand jury?: What to know about the jury that voted to indict Trump.

What is an indictment? Will Trump go to jail?

An indictment is not the same as an arrest; it's a formal charge of a crime. An arrest is when a person is taken into custody.

Glenn Kirschner, a former prosecutor, told USA TODAY that authorities often negotiate the surrender of a high-profile defendant like Trump to avoid the spectacle of a “perp walk” in which the person is paraded before the media as they enter the courthouse or police station.

– Ella Lee, Sarah Elbeshbishi and Josh Meyer

Trump indictment: Donald Trump is the first former president to face criminal charges. What we know.

Will Trump get a mugshot?

Donald Trump is not expected to be subjected to a mugshot following his surrender to New York authorities, the former president's attorney Joe Tacopina said Tuesday.

As the first former president in history to face criminal charges, there was much anticipation that such a photograph would go viral or that Trump could use it as a fundraising tool in his bid to reclaim the White House.

Tacopina did not elaborate on why Trump would bypass what is normally traditional rite of passage for criminal defendants. But a person familiar with the matter said the decision was made by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

– Kevin Johnson and Josh Meyer

Will Trump get a mugshot?: Why his lawyer says not to expect one after indictment.

Who is Alvin Bragg? Meet the attorney who will become the first prosecutor to charge a former president

All eyes are on the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who will become the first prosecutor to ever criminally charge a former president.

Bragg is scheduled to detail the charges against Trump at a press conference at 3:30 p.m.

– Ken Tran

Who is Alvin Bragg?: Meet the attorney who will become the first prosecutor to charge a former president

How did Michael Cohen arrange hush payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal?

The indictment against Trump hasn’t been unveiled, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been investigating hush-money payments before the 2016 election totaling $280,000 to silence two women who claimed to have had sex with Trump.

Legal experts have said the charges under New York law could include a misdemeanor for falsification of business records, for allegedly calling the payments legal fees, linked to a felony for a campaign finance violation because of the benefit to Trump’s presidential campaign.

– Bart Jansen

Trump indicted: How did Michael Cohen arrange hush payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does Trump indictment mean? Will he go to jail? Key facts to know

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