A court filing Thursday morning indicated Robert Kraft was ordered to appear in a Palm Beach County courtroom for his arraignment on charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution.
But his defense now says he doesn't have to appear if his attorneys file a motion stating they will appear on his behalf, NBC Boston reported.
One of Kraft's attorneys called the court paperwork "routine procedural" and that his client would not appear in court, according to NBC Boston.
Kraft was charged as part of a months-long investigation into sex trafficking that focused on several day spas and massage parlors suspected of being used for prostitution.
He has entered a plea of not guilty and has requested a non-jury trial.
Thursday's court filing, first reported by the Boston Globe,had said failure to appear will result in bond forfeiture or revocation of own recognizance.
The arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m Thursday March 28, 2019. Kraft was originally scheduled to appear on the March 27.That date conflicted with the National Football League’s annual winter meeting in Phoenix, according to court records and the league, the Boston Globe reported.
#Patriots owner Robert Kraft DOES NOT have to appear in #Florida court on solicitation of prostitution charges. Even though boilerplate language on notice of hearing says "defendant must be present" . His attorney can appear on his behalf. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/j3dsREwals
— Cheryl Fiandaca (@CherylFiandaca) March 7, 2019
Robert Kraft has been ordered to appear in a Florida courtroom on March 28 to be arraigned on two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. https://t.co/0CbzhzTgRA
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) March 7, 2019
Information from CNN Newsource was used in this report.
