Trump faces a Sandoval hearing in his New York hush money trial. Here’s what to know

Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial will resume on Friday morning with what is expected to be the final stages of jury selection, after 12 jurors and one alternate now sworn in to hear the historic case.

The Republican presidential candidate this week became the first former or sitting US president to stand trial on criminal charges after being accused of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election to stay quiet about an alleged affair.

Mr Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

While the day’s proceedings involves jury selection to find five more alternates, the other important order of business today will be an evidentiary hearing colloquially known as a “Sandoval Notice”.

A Sandoval hearing is required under New York law in criminal cases in which the defendant has a history of misconduct or criminal acts and plans to testify.

The purpose of this portion of the trial is for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to show Judge Juan Merchan the scope of the questions they would propose to ask Mr Trump during cross-examination if he does choose to take the stand to testify. Mr Trump has already indicated that he plans to do so.

Speaking at a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida last week, Mr Trump said: “Yeah, I would testify, absolutely. That’s not a trial. That’s a scam.”

From a defence point of view, a Sandoval hearing ensures that the criminal defendant is fully aware of what he might be asked if he or she does choose to take the stand in their defence, so that they are not caught off-guard by unexpected lines of questioning outside of an approved remit.

Earlier this week, a