A court in New York did not accept Donald Trump's request to dismiss the indictment filed against him for payments to a porn actress in exchange for discretion regarding their relationship.
Judge Juan Mercan scheduled the start of the trial for March 25.
It is one of a total of four criminal trials that the former US president is facing, while he is fighting for the Republican nomination - ahead of the elections scheduled for November 5.
Trump, the favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination, asked Judge Mercan to dismiss a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records -- to cover up a $130.000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Before the start of the hearing, Trump repeated his claims that he is not guilty and that the process against him is politically motivated.
"This would never have been brought up except for the fact that I'm running for president and I'm doing well," Trump said.
During the hearing, a small number of protesters gathered in front of the New York courthouse - opponents of the former US president.
"We don't want a dictator in the United States," was one of the messages they shouted.
Trump faces a number of political and legal challenges ahead of another expected election duel with Joe Biden - who defeated him in the 2020 elections.
