Robert Kraft may have to take a trip to Florida in late March, after all.
The New England Patriots owner has an arraignment set for March 28 to face two misdemeanor charges of soliciting prostitution. It was previously reported that Kraft may not need to be present at that hearing, but Palm Beach County now is saying otherwise.
However, Kraft's defense attorney, Jack Goldberger, insisted in a statement Thursday that his client is not required to appear in court under Florida law, despite the court's notice.
"This is a routine procedural hearing that the Court sets based on its schedule,’’ Goldberger wrote in an e-mail to The Boston Globe. “The notice of appearance by the defendant is boilerplate, but in fact the lawyer appears for the defendant in a misdemeanor case. The defendant does not appear."
The notice of Kraft's hearing that was filed Thursday sets his arraignment at 9 a.m. ET on March 28 and includes the following line in all caps, per CBS Boston: "THE DEFENDANT MUST BE PRESENT AT THIS HEARING." The notice adds that failure for Kraft to appear in court will result in "bond forfeiture" and a warrant being issued for his arrest.
It appears Palm Beach County is doing its best to have the Patriots owner show up. The hearing originally was scheduled for March 27, which would have been the final day of the NFL's Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz., but now has been moved up a day.
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It's the second time the hearing has been moved, as it was originally scheduled for April 24.
Kraft pleaded not guilty to both charges and previously denied any illegal activity in a statement.
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