Former President Donald Trump is facing a scheduled trial on April 25, over charges filed against him by E. Jean Carroll for civil assault. Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the mid-90s while she was in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman. Although certain of Trump's prior history of assaultive conduct toward women have not been confirmed as admissible in evidence, the DNA found on Carroll's dress by an unidentified male and the witnesses that Carroll contemporaneously told about the incident will both be part of the trial. Joseph Tacopina and Alina Habba will lead the legal battle on behalf of Trump. Despite Trump's desire to appear in court, Tacopina has suggested that his client may stay away to spare New Yorkers the highly likely discomfort caused by the needed high security presence. The former president reportedly needs to ensure early coordination each day with the Secret Service. This requires that members of the public would be restricted from the area and courthouse personnel be confined to their offices while elevators shut down and courthouse floors locked down as part of the tactical plan. Despite Tacopina's statement, Carroll's attorneys have criticized the notion that Trump’s absence would benefit New Yorkers.