This artist sketch depicts former President Donald Trump, far left, pleading not guilty as the Clerk of the Court reads the charges and asks him "How do you plea?" Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in a Manhattan courtroom in New York, as his attorney Joseph Tacopina, center, watches. Trump is expected in court Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, for an important hearing in his New York hush-money criminal case, which now appears increasingly likely to go to trial next month. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is expected to rule on key pretrial issues and say for certain if the former president's trial will begin as scheduled on March 25. (Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)