Trump indictment: A simple guide to what it means

Former US President Donald Trump has been arrested and charged with 34 felony counts related to business fraud.

The man who spent four years in the White House was brought before a judge on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The case comes as he campaigns to become president again, in the 2024 election.

Here's what it's all about.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump went to court, where he was arrested, and charged with 34 felony counts, external of fraud in a 16-page indictment.

These charges relate to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment made to buy the silence of an adult film actress, Stormy Daniels, who says she had sex with him.

The wire transfer came 12 days before the 2016 election that Mr Trump won against Hillary Clinton.

He was released by the court and flew back to his Florida home where he slammed the case against him in a speech to supporters on Tuesday evening.

Ms Daniels says she had an affair with Mr Trump in 2006, which he has always denied.

In 2016 she tried to sell her account of what happened to the media. Mr Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 to keep quiet.

Hush money is not illegal but what has got Mr Trump into trouble is how Mr Cohen's reimbursement was recorded in his accounts.

Mr Trump is accused of falsifying his business records in the first degree by saying the payment was for legal fees.

The district attorney alleged on Tuesday that the payments were intended "to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election".

The most likely outcome at the end of this legal process is a fine, but there is also a chance he could be sent to prison.

Falsifying business records is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanour.

But the charges against Mr Trump are all the lowest category of felony in New York, which carries a maximum prison sentence of four years per count.

Legal experts tell the BBC, however, that time behind bars is unlikely.

Yes, there's nothing in the US constitution to prevent Mr Trump from continuing his election campaign now he is being charged.

Even if he was imprisoned, he could theoretically still run for president and win an election.

But there are practical considerations.

A prolonged legal fight and a trial will be a major diversion from a presidential campaign - in time and energy, and the scheduling of election rallies.

Yes. He faced two major inquiries by Congress when he was president, called impeachments, but was acquitted by the US Senate both times.

Now he has left office he can no longer be impeached but instead can be indicted and faces a number of criminal investigations.

They are continuing and we will hear more about them in the months ahead.