2023 has been an unprecedented year for America's courts, marked by the notable sight of a former president facing legal proceedings. Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has broken a centuries-long streak by becoming the first current or former president to be criminally prosecuted. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on Trump's 12 days of court appearances, which have captured the attention of the nation.

The first day of Trump court occurred on April 4, when he entered a Manhattan criminal courthouse to face charges of falsification of business records tied to a supposed "hush money" payment made prior to the 2016 election. Spectators, who had waited overnight, watched as Trump proclaimed his innocence, becoming the first former or sitting president to utter the words "not guilty" before a judge.

On June 13, in a Miami courthouse, Trump was arraigned on federal charges related to the willful retention of national security information after leaving the White House. The courtroom, mostly closed to the public, saw a select few observers and journalists witness Trump's continued plea of not guilty.

Trump's third court appearance took place on August 3 in Washington, D.C. This time, several federal judges observed as he entered his plea of not guilty to four felony counts connected to his effort to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.

The fourth day of Trump court brought a civil fraud trial on October 2. New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his company of a decade of fraud, alleging the overvaluation of his wealth. The trial, filled with clashes between Trump and the judge, saw Trump deny the allegations and passionately express his views to reporters outside the courtroom.

Throughout the days in court, tensions escalated. Trump's frustration with the case reached a boiling point on October 3 when he published a derogatory social media post about a law clerk, leading to a gag order imposed upon him by the judge.

However, the drama continued. Trump's archnemesis, former lawyer Michael Cohen, was absent due to illness on October 17, disappointing Trump's expectation of confronting him. Cohen's absence didn't deter the proceedings, as testimony focused on intricate details forming the foundation of the alleged fraud perpetuated by Trump.

As the trial progressed, Trump's frustration grew evident. He expressed his dissatisfaction during court sessions, leading to outbursts and complaints to his attorneys on October 18. Amidst the chaos, Trump finally faced Cohen on October 25, only to clash once again during the cross-examination. Trump's attorney protested Cohen's responses, leaving the courtroom in tumult.

The drama continued on October 26, as Trump faced scrutiny from the judge about a comment he made regarding a person "sitting alongside" the judge, despite being forbidden from discussing court personnel. Trump's attempts to clarify his statement were in vain, resulting in a $10,000 fine.

On November 6, Trump took the stand and unleashed his grievances against the legal forces that landed him in court. Trump repeatedly strayed from the questions, leading to reprimands from the judge.

The 12th and final day of Trump court in 2023 arrived on December 7. The courtroom showed more empty seats than filled ones, but Trump attentively sat through final witness testimonies. A New York University accounting professor bolstered Trump's defense, claiming the financial statements at the center of the case were clearly outlined to be used at the banks' own risk. Impressed by the testimony, Trump decided against testifying again.

As the year draws to a close, it is evident that 2024 will bring more courtroom battles for the former president. Four criminal cases are scheduled, including trials related to his alleged involvement in the 2020 election's overturning and the handling of national security documents.

Trump has maintained his innocence and entered not guilty pleas to the 91 felony charges against him. However, the trial calendar remains uncertain, as Trump's legal team has expressed a desire to postpone the trials until after the 2024 election.

The nation continues to watch as Trump navigates the judicial system, making headlines with each court appearance. The outcome of these cases will undoubtedly shape the legacy of a president who has broken records both inside and outside the courtroom.