Trump Lawyer Opposes Release of Mug Shot: ‘It’s Not Going to Help Anything’

Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before addressing the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A lawyer for Donald Trump opposes a potential release or leak of the former president’s mugshot, stating that it is “not going to help anything” because of his campaign and because mugshots are for recognition of a suspect.

After his indictment for alleged hush money payments, Trump is expected to surrender himself to the Manhattan district attorney’s office on Tuesday morning for processing, when he will be fingerprinted, photographed, and read his Miranda rights. The arraignment hearing is then scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at the New York County Supreme Court.

When asked if there should be cameras in the courtroom during Trump’s trial, one of the former president’s attorneys, Alina Habba, stated that she is not against the notion.

Habba, who has represented Trump on other issues, stated that the former president’s mugshot should remain confidential because he is running for president in 2024.

“I like transparency. I think that in certain situations, it’s a good thing. I do have a problem with leaking of pictures,” Habba told CNN’s Don Lemon on April 3. “I think that because we’re in a campaign because he’s the leading GOP candidate, it’s not going to help anything.”

In response to Lemon’s questioning, the attorney said that she does not understand why it would be required, considering that Trump is globally recognizable.

New York law does not recognize mugshots as public documents, so the publishing of a Trump photograph would require special permission.

“Mugshots are for people so that you recognize who they are. He is the most recognized face in the world, let alone the country right now, so there’s no need for that. There’s no need for the theatrics,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a March 31 statement that, “This evening we contacted Mr. Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected.”

Trump has confirmed that he intends to appear before a New York court for his arraignment on charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York. On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!” Trump said in another post.

The former president also spoke out as to the reason, asserting that it was “ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!” in an all-caps April 3 Truth Social post.

Trump blasted Bragg for subjecting him to criminal charges. “The Corrupt D.A. has no case,” the presidential candidate said. “What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!), and a Trump-Hating Judge, hand-selected by the Soros-backed D.A. (he must be changed!). Also has the DOJ working in the D.A.’s Office—Unprecedented!”