Donald Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election interference case and waives arraignment

31 August 2023, 17:17 | Updated: 31 August 2023, 18:50

Trump was pictured arriving in Georgia last week before he surrendered at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
Trump was pictured arriving in Georgia last week before he surrendered at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Picture: Getty

By Chay Quinn

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges of election interference in Georgia - and has waived his right to an arraignment to avoid appearing in court next week.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The former US president will not have to show up for an arraignment hearing that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had set for next week ahead of his trial in March.

Mr Trump and 18 others were charged earlier this month in a 41-count indictment that outlines an alleged scheme to subvert the will of Georgia voters, who had chosen Democrat Joe Biden over the Republican incumbent in the presidential election.

Several other people charged in the indictment had already waived arraignment in filings with the court, saving them a trip to the courthouse in downtown Atlanta.

Trump's mugshot went viral after it was released following his indictment
Trump's mugshot went viral after it was released following his indictment. Picture: Getty

Mr Trump previously travelled to Georgia on August 24 to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail, where he became the first former president to have a mugshot taken.

The case, filed under Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, is sprawling, and the logistics of bringing it to trial are likely to be complicated.

Legal manoeuvring by several of those charged has already begun.

Read More: Donald Trump to stand trial next year over bid to overturn election result

Mr Trump already faces charges filed by federal prosecutors in Washington over allegations he tried to overturn the 2020 election.

He was recorded asking Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of statement to "find" 11,780 votes in the battleground state so he could beat Biden there.

Eight people who signed a certificate claiming Trump won the election have reached deals with Fulton County prosecutors.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Bibby Stockholm barge is set to close

Hundreds of Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers moved to hotels after Labour pledge to close barge accommodation

Children should get stickers not sweets during Halloween trick-or-treating, dentists demand (file image)

Children should get stickers not sweets during Halloween trick-or-treating, dentists demand

Ambulance worker messaged friend 'oopsie' after trying to kill boss in 'frenzied' hammer attack in row over shifts (Left: Smith, Right: Morton)

Ambulance worker messaged friend 'oopsie' after trying to kill boss in 'frenzied' hammer attack in row over shifts

Reeves vowes to put 'more pounds in people’s pockets' despite admitting touch decisions to come in Budget

Rachel Reeves vows to put 'more pounds in people’s pockets' in Budget despite admitting tough decisions to come

The oak, thought to be at least 400 years old, is hidden away in a Sitka spruce plantation in Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands.

'Hidden' 400-year-old oak named after Scottish band is crowned tree of the year

Teri Garr, who starred in Tootsie, Young Frankenstein and Friends, dies aged 79

Teri Garr, who starred in Tootsie, Young Frankenstein and Friends, dies aged 79

Rachel Reeves is putting the final touches on her first budget tonight - and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Everything we know about the Budget so far and what it will mean for you

The minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour

Millions of workers to get pay rise as Chancellor announces minimum wage increase

A boy fell ill after Salisbury poisoning victim Sergei Skripal gave him bread to feed ducks

Boy fell ill after Salisbury poisoning victim gave him bread to feed ducks, inquiry hears

Hayley Butler

British dog groomer, 40, dies after gastric band surgery in Turkey - as heartbroken family pay tribute

The Portuguese club said United have 'expressed interest' in paying the release clause

Sporting say Man Utd willing to pay €10m release clause for manager Ruben Amorim

British Airways plane being loaded with luggage and meals.

British Airways leaves seasoned flyers fuming after scrapping three-course in-flight meals in 'cost-cutting' move

Jimmy Donaldson, YouTube name MrBeast (left), Rosanna Pansino (right)

YouTube megastars at war: MrBeast 'reported to FBI' by Rosanna Pansino over ‘disturbing’ leaked messages

The Zimbabwean claimed his removal would breach his Article Eight rights to a family life under the ECHR

Zimbabwean who was jailed for causing death allowed to live in UK under ECHR after discovering he had a child

Southport stabbing suspect charged with creating ricin and possession of Al Qaeda Training Manual

Southport stabbing suspect charged with creating ricin and possession of Al Qaeda training manual

Lambert looked to evade officers chasing him on foot by running into a lake and swimming to an island in the middle

Man who swam through lake to evade police capture jailed for aggravated burglary