Kraft lawyer: Patriots owner not to appear at arraignment

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will not have to appear at his arraignment later this month in Florida on two misdemeanour charges of soliciting prostitution, his lawyer said Thursday. "This is a routine procedural hearing that the Court sets based on its schedule,'' West Palm Beach defence attorney Jack Goldberger wrote in an e-mail to Boston media outlets. "The notice of appearance by the defendant is boilerplate, but in fact, the lawyer appears for the defendant in a misdemeanour case."

The hearing is scheduled for March 28 in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Kraft has pleaded not guilty and requested a bench trial.

The 77-year-old Kraft allegedly visited a day spa in Jupiter, Fla., twice in January and paid for sex acts. He could face one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and attendance in a human trafficking dangers class.