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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump has been found guilty in the Manhattan hush money case, which centers around allegations of corrupting the 2016 election. The 77-year-old Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. This payment, made in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, was intended to ensure Daniels’ silence regarding her claim of a 2006 affair with Trump, as was reported on Thursday in The New York Post.
A jury in Manhattan found Trump guilty of doctoring business records to facilitate another crime, a conviction that carries a potential sentence ranging from probation to a maximum of four years in prison. The verdict was delivered in Manhattan Supreme Court, with Justice Juan Merchan presiding. According to the report in The Post, Trump, who remains free until his sentencing date on July 11, has not been subjected to any travel restrictions, a notable detail given his ongoing political activities and campaign for the 2024 presidential election.
Despite the gravity of the conviction, legal experts, including Michael Bachner, a former prosecutor and experienced defense attorney, suggest that Trump is unlikely to face jail time. Bachner explained to The Post that the former president is most probably looking at a probationary sentence. “There is a very decent chance he’s looking at a probationary sentence. It would be unnecessary punishment to incarcerate somebody who very likely isn’t getting a jail sentence,” Bachner told The Post.
Given this expectation, it is unlikely that prosecutors will seek to have Trump remanded ahead of his sentencing. Even if such a request were made, it is improbable that the judge would grant it, considering the nature of the crime and the typical sentencing trends for similar offenses.
Trump’s legal team is expected to pursue all available avenues to mitigate the impact of the conviction. This could include appeals or efforts to negotiate terms of probation that allow him to continue his political activities with minimal disruption, as per the information contained in The Post report. The focus will likely be on arguing the non-violent nature of the offense and Trump’s lack of prior criminal history as factors favoring a more lenient sentence.
Their first step will likely be to request that Judge Juan Merchan set aside the verdict. According to The Post report, if this motion is denied, it will trigger a lengthy appeals process that could extend well beyond the upcoming election.
Jeffrey Lichtman, a prominent defense attorney known for representing high-profile clients such as drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, echoed the sentiment that Trump is unlikely to serve jail time, as was detailed in The Post report.
“He’s neither dangerous nor a flight risk. He’s one of the most well-known faces in the United States. Where is he going to run?” Bachner remarked to The Post, emphasizing the impracticality of Trump attempting to flee.
Legal experts such as Bachner and Lichtman agree that an appeal could take a year or longer. “Any appeal won’t be decided before the election,” Bachner told The Post. If Trump’s appeal to the mid-level court fails, he will likely seek a hearing from the state’s highest court, further extending the timeline. Lichtman noted, “An appeal could easily take a year or longer after the sentencing.”
If Trump were to be sentenced to jail time, it is expected that he would remain free pending the outcome of his appeal. Bachner explained the rationale to the Post by saying: “To the extent there is a reversal on the appeal by the time Trump’s appeal is decided he would have already done his jail time so it would just be unfair to incarcerate him.”
This approach aims to prevent unnecessary punishment in the event that the conviction is overturned on appeal. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the former president’s significant public following, the justice system is likely to proceed with caution to ensure fairness and due process.
Despite his felony conviction, Trump remains eligible to run for president. Legal experts consulted by CBS News confirm that Trump, who primarily resides in Florida, will likely retain his voting rights in the upcoming elections. The Post report explained that Florida law tends to defer to the laws of other states regarding voter disenfranchisement, meaning Trump’s conviction in New York does not necessarily preclude him from voting in Florida.
However, the federal Gun Control Act could impact Trump’s right to own a firearm. Felony convictions typically result in the loss of the right to possess firearms, the Post report said. Whether Trump actually owns any firearms is unclear, and his attorneys have not addressed this issue publicly.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11. Before this date, he will undergo a meeting with the probation department to review his personal and criminal history. The Post report indicated that following this, both the prosecution and defense will submit their sentencing recommendations to the judge.
As July 11 approaches, all eyes will be on the sentencing hearing, where the legal system will further delineate the boundaries of accountability for public figures. The outcome will not only affect Trump’s future but also serve as a significant point of reference for the interplay between law and politics in the United States.
Trump’s conviction adds another layer of complexity to his already contentious political career. Despite the legal challenges, he remains a formidable figure within the Republican Party and is considered a leading contender for the 2024 presidential nomination, the Post report said. His supporters are likely to view the conviction and subsequent legal battles as politically motivated attacks, reinforcing their loyalty and possibly galvanizing further support.
Conversely, Trump’s detractors see the conviction as a step towards accountability and justice. The prolonged legal battles and potential appeals will keep the case in the public eye, influencing voter perceptions and the broader political landscape.
