Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to election fraud in Georgia and has waived the right to appear in court next week.
As per BBC News, Trump is one of 19 people charged with a conspiracy to overthrow the results of the 2020 election, in which he lost his presidency to Joe Biden.
The former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing but turned himself in at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta last week where he had a historic mugshot taken.
The charges against Trump are extensive, including 13 felony counts such as racketeering. These charges stem from allegations that he exerted pressure on Georgia officials with the aim of reversing the outcome of the state's 2020 presidential election.
In a legal document submitted on Thursday, Trump affirmed his understanding of the nature of the allegations and acknowledged his right to be present in court.
The document read: "Understanding my rights, I do hereby freely and voluntarily waive my right to be present at my arraignment on the indictment and my right to have it read to me in open court."
Trump, who is currently the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has previously made appearances at each of his three earlier arraignments. He chose to do so in cases he was facing in New York and Florida, while he decided against requesting a virtual appearance for a separate case in Washington DC.
Security has been stringent during all three instances, as Trump's supporters and counter-protesters congregated in close proximity to the courthouses.
Notably, Georgia's Fulton County stands out as the sole jurisdiction where defendants facing charges have the option to forego appearing in court during the formal arraignment in criminal cases.
Earlier this week, three other co-defendants in the case, including former Trump attorneys Ray Stallings Smith and Sidney Powell, as well as former celebrity publicist Trevian Kutti, entered their respective pleas of not guilty.
Originally scheduled for September 6, Trump's arraignment date was to be followed by staggered intervals of 15 minutes for the other defendants.
Trump has had a court date has been set for March 4, 2024, by a federal judge - which could have a significant impact on his 2024 run for presidency.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan revealed the date on Monday (August 28) after hearing arguments from Trump's lawyers and federal prosecutors about when the case could go to trial. March 4 will see it happen in the middle of the Republican presidential primaries and the day before Super Tuesday.
