In a significant development, the trial against former President Donald J. Trump is set to commence, with opening statements scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m. After the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, announced a 34-count criminal indictment against Trump on April 3, 2023, prosecutors have been preparing their case against him.

The charges against Trump relate to accusations of falsifying invoices and business ledgers, as well as sending reimbursement checks to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. These payments were purportedly made for legal services rendered, but prosecutors claim that they were actually reimbursements to Cohen for a $130,000 payment made to adult actress Stormy Daniels. The alleged purpose was to prevent Daniels from revealing her affair with Trump prior to the 2016 election.

According to New York state law, falsifying business records carries a misdemeanor charge with a maximum penalty of one year in jail. However, prosecutors argue that Trump's falsification was intended to commit another crime, making it a felony punishable by up to four years in jail.

The prosecution's case primarily revolves around establishing the fraudulent nature of the business records involved in the alleged scheme and proving Trump's intent in falsifying these records specifically related to the 2016 election.

As the trial begins, the focus will be on the 12-member primary jury panel, which consists of professionals from various fields including law, technology, finance, education, and sales. Analysts speculate that this diverse group may prioritize facts and evidence over political bias, which could work both in favor of and against Trump.

Opening statements, while not evidence themselves, will provide a preview of the evidence that will be presented during the trial. Prosecutors are expected to present a strong case supported by a range of documents such as ledgers, invoices, checks, text messages, emails, and audio recordings. They will emphasize that these documents corroborate the witness testimonies, and ask the jury to focus on the compelling hard evidence rather than solely relying on the credibility of witnesses like Cohen and Daniels.

When it comes to Trump's defense, there are several possibilities. They could argue outright innocence, but this may be risky given the evidence against Trump. Alternatively, they may adopt a strategy similar to former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who successfully defended himself by claiming his actions were motivated solely by protecting his family rather than deceiving voters. However, this defense may pose significant risks for Trump, as it would involve admitting to falsifying business records and potentially contradicting his previous public statements.

Another option for the defense is to ask the jury to keep an open mind throughout the trial and stress the high standard of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They are expected to scrutinize the credibility of the state's witnesses and emphasize that Trump should not be found guilty based on politics or personal opinions.

As the trial gets underway, the question of whether Trump will testify remains uncertain. While he has expressed his willingness to testify publicly, it may ultimately be a last-minute decision.

This trial marks a historical moment, as no former U.S. president has ever faced criminal prosecution. However, it is essential to remember that everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, even a former president. After the presentation of evidence, the jury will ultimately determine whether Trump violated the law.