CLEVELAND (AP) – A judge warned Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. that if he wants to defend himself at his criminal trial, he will be held to the same standards of conduct as any lawyer – even though he does not have a law degree.

"This trial is not going to be a donnybrook," U.S. District Judge Lesley Brooks Wells said, using a term Traficant himself had used.

Traficant, the maverick congressman known for his polyester suits and arm-waving theatrics, went on trial on corruption charges Tuesday.

Wells warned Traficant against granting media interviews that could have an influence on the jury selection process.

Prosecutor Craig Morford had raised the issue of Traficant's interviews Monday and Tuesday on CNN and ABC. Morford said allegations of a prosecution vendetta, an argument not allowed at the trial, were meant to influence potential jurors.

"I am asked the question and I simply respond," Traficant told the judge.

About 100 potential jurors filled out personal information questionnaires on Tuesday.

The 45-page questionnaire includes questions about family, jobs, income, connections to anyone involved in the case, whether a juror had been audited by the Internal Revenue Service and whether they had an opinion, positive or negative, about Traficant.

Traficant and a team of prosecutors will have until Thursday to review the written answers prior to asking the prospective jurors direct questions.

Traficant, 60, is accused of accepting gifts and favors in exchange for lobbying in Washington. He is also charged with forcing his staff to make cash kickbacks to him or do favors for him at his horse farm.

The 10 charges of racketeering, bribery and other offenses carry a maximum of 63 years in prison and $2.2 million in fines. Traficant would not automatically lose his congressional seat, but the House could vote to expel him.

Traficant sat alone at the defense table Tuesday while a team of government attorneys and FBI and IRS agents sat at the government's table.

Traficant objected to a requirement that a non-attorney he wants to take notes for him be seated at the defense table, rather than in the gallery.

The judge stood by the arrangements, saying, "That's the way we do it."

It is the second time that Traficant has defended himself against criminal charges. He was acquitted in 1983 on charges that he took $163,000 in bribes from mobsters and filed a false income tax return while serving as a sheriff.