In what is being deemed as one of the most high-profile criminal trials in U.S. history, the jury selection process has officially begun for former President Donald Trump's trial. Lawyers for Trump and Manhattan prosecutors are set to review over 500 potential jurors, reflecting the magnitude of the case.

The extensive process will involve reviewing lengthy questionnaires filled out by the potential jurors. The attorneys will then conduct individual interviews in court, aiming to select a group of unbiased individuals who can render a verdict based on the evidence presented. This rigorous process could take days or even weeks to complete.

The final jury will consist of 12 jurors and a few alternates who will be responsible for deciding whether the former president illegally falsified business records. This pertains to the alleged payment of "hush money" to an adult film star just days before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony counts brought against him.

While New York City has seen its fair share of celebrity trials, legal experts agree that this particular case stands out. Former Manhattan prosecutor Duncan Levin stated that Trump may be the most famous defendant in history. The goal of the jury selection process is not to eliminate Democrats or Republicans but to find individuals who have not already formed opinions on the case and can be impartial.

Trump's defense team has raised concerns about receiving a fair trial due to Manhattan's reputation as a Democratic stronghold. However, the island has proven capable of selecting jurors for trials involving famous and unpopular defendants, as witnessed during Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's trial in 2020.

Leading scholars on the jury system, such as Cornell Law School professor Valerie Hans, believe that the extensive media coverage surrounding Trump's case may influence the jury selection process. Pretrial publicity can shape jurors' interpretation of evidence and increase the impact of statements made during deliberation that align with preconceived notions from the media.

During a hearing, a prosecutor indicated that potential jurors would be asked pointed questions regarding Trump's claims since the 2020 election, including whether they believe the election was stolen. This raised objections from Trump's lawyers, who argued that the question was designed to assess a person's willingness to follow the facts rather than blindly trust Trump's assertions.

Pace University Law School Professor Bennett Gershman noted that the challenge of finding willing jurors is not an issue in this case. Instead, the concern lies with "stealth jurors" who may have strong predispositions yet hesitate to reveal them openly. In response, lawyers will employ online specialists to examine the public lives of potential jurors.

However, Trump's ability to learn the identities of the jurors is at risk due to a gag order issued by Judge Juan Merchan. The order restricts any commentary that could interfere with the fair administration of justice. Trump's previous social media posts about the judge's daughter prompted an expansion of the gag order that includes Merchan's own family. The order warned Trump that continued disruptive behavior may result in him forfeiting his right to access juror names.

The use of anonymous jurors, typically reserved for cases involving organized crime and drug cartels, has also been implemented in two of Trump's recent federal civil cases. In those cases, the jurors' identities were kept secret, with instructions to use fake names when communicating with each other.

As the jury selection process unfolds, all eyes will be on the highly anticipated trial of the former president. The selection of an impartial jury will be crucial in ensuring a fair and just outcome, given the immense media attention and public interest surrounding the case.