NEW YORK, March 5 : Donald Trump was arraigned in Manhattan Tuesday as the first former president to ever be criminally charged.

Before his arraignment, Trump was processed, mostly, like every other defendant in the criminal justice system. The former president went through the standard proceedings behind closed doors, including:  A Miranda warning: Trump was read the standard Miranda warning that is given to all criminal suspects. He was told he had the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and that anything he said could be used against him in a court of law. No mug shot, but fingerprinted: Trump was not subjected to be photographed, but was still fingerprinted and given a booking number.

What happened at Trump's arraignment? Trump appeared before Judge Juan Merchan, who handled Trump's arraignment in New York. The indictment was unsealed to the public and Merchan outlined the charges against him, which were 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.  Afterwards, Trump pleaded not guilty and was later released. Due to the nature of the charges, which are non-violent, and Trump being a first-time offender, the former president was not placed in jail.  Trump's lawyers told reporters outside the courthouse after his arraignment that Trump is "frustrated" with the indictment, but determined to fight the allegations both legally and politically.  "He's frustrated, he's upset," Todd Blanche, one of Trump's attorney's said. "It's not going to stop him."

What's next for Trump in court? Trump’s arraignment starts a legal process that could result in a trial, but Trump’s legal team is likely to file various pre-trial motions that includes dismissing the case outright or a change of venue.  Legal analysts and experts told USA TODAY that Trump has plenty of avenues to slow-walk the case, something he hasn’t shied away from in his other court battles.

David Super, a law professor at Georgetown University Law Center, said the arraignment will set a schedule for the future proceedings, setting deadlines for any motions the prosecutions or defense wishes to file – this is how Trump's legal team will fight the case.

"The most likely motion would be a motion to dismiss the case since obviously, President Trump has been very vocal that he believes this is unfounded," Super said.  After the arraignment, prosecutors will have a 35-day deadline to provide Trump's legal team with relevant evidence to the case. This will open another legal avenue for Trump, Super said. Trump's legal team will be able to file more motions to suppress various pieces of evidence.  And while all those legal challenges play out, Trump will be able to conduct business as usual as he gears for the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

Trump attorney Susan Necheles said Trump does not want cameras in the courtroom because “it will create a circus-like atmosphere,” as well as “raise security concerns,” according to ABC News, which filed motions with the court along with other news organizations for media access to cover and record the hearing.  Trump warned in a social media post of “potential death and destruction” if he was charged, and the New York Police Department has been on alert ahead of Trump’s visit.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she plans to protest Tuesday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams told people coming to the city to protest to control themselves.

Trump’s campaign has fundraised off the indictment, and current and potential Republican opponents have sided with him.  Candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told Fox News she believed it was political prosecution that was more about revenge than justice.  Potential 2024 candidates Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence also weighed in. DeSantis called it “un-American” and Pence said it was an “outrage.”  President Joe Biden has said he has no comment.  Trump is the first former U.S. president to be charged with a crime. Though unprecedented in U.S. history, leaders from countries including France, South Korea and Israel have been jailed or prosecuted before.