The full jury of 12 has been seated in the hush money trial against Donald Trump, the first criminal trial against a former US president.
After around three days of questioning, the prosecution, defence and Judge Juan Merchan agreed on 12 jurors on Thursday. At least one of six alternate jurors has also been selected.
The search for the other five replacement candidates would continue on Friday before the opening statements could begin, possibly as soon as Monday, Merchan explained.
Two jurors who had been selected on Tuesday were excused on Thursday. One woman was concerned that her identity could become public. One man was excused after the credibility of some of his statements was put in question.
Dozens of candidates stated at the start of the trial that they did not believe they were in a position to reach a fair judgement and were immediately released.
Trump, who leads a sprawling real estate business, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal the $130,000 pay-off made to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Daniels said she was given the money to keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006. He has admitted to paying her on the eve of the 2016 presidential election to stop her "false and extortionist accusations" but denies any sexual encounter.
Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, faces a maximum of four years behind bars if convicted.
According to the court, the trial could last up to eight weeks once the jury is selected.
Trump's lawyers had tried until the eleventh hour to avert, postpone or at least delay the trial. Even after a conviction and even with a prison sentence in this case, Trump would still be able to run in the presidential election.
He is facing three other criminal trials as well several civil lawsuits.
The Republican is set for an election rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November.