Key Information About Donald Trump's Conviction in the Hush Money Trial

[CharlieH]

Donald Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts signifies the conclusion of the former president's historic hush money trial, but the battle over the case is far from over.

 

Next steps include sentencing, which could result in a prison term, and a potentially lengthy appeals process. Meanwhile, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee also faces three additional criminal cases and continues his campaign, which could potentially lead to a return to the White House.

 

Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts marks the end of his historic hush money trial, but the fight is far from over. Here’s what to know.

 

How did Trump respond?

Trump blasted the trial as 'rigged' and attacked the star witness in a speech on Friday. Follow the AP’s live coverage for more details.

 

When is the sentencing?

The sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to pick Trump as their 2024 nominee.

 

Can Trump vote?

Despite his conviction and residence in Florida, Trump can still vote as long as he avoids prison time in New York state.

 

Will this impact the election?

It remains unclear whether Trump’s felony conviction will have any impact on voters in the upcoming election.

 

After more than nine hours of deliberations over two days, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in the case related to a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.

 

Trump angrily denounced the trial as a “disgrace,” declaring to reporters that he’s an “innocent man.”

 

Here are some key takeaways from the jury’s decision:

 

 

Prison Time?

 

The big question now is whether Trump could be sentenced to prison. The answer remains uncertain. Judge Juan M. Merchan has scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to formally nominate Trump for president.

 

The charge of falsifying business records is classified as a Class E felony in New York, the lowest tier of felony charges in the state. This charge is punishable by up to four years in prison, although the final decision lies with the judge, and there is no guarantee Trump would receive a prison sentence. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has not indicated whether prosecutors will seek prison time.

 

It's unclear how the judge will account for the political and logistical complexities of jailing a former president who is actively running to reclaim the White House. Other potential punishments could include a fine or probation. It's also possible that the judge might allow Trump to avoid serving any punishment until after he has exhausted all appeals.

 

Trump faces the threat of more serious prison time in three other cases he is involved in. However, these cases have been delayed by appeals and other legal hurdles, making it uncertain whether any of them will go to trial before the November election.

 

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE ELECTION

A member of the media looks at news of former President Donald Trump on his phone after the conclusion of Trump’s hush money trial, in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool Photo via AP)

 

The conviction does not prevent Trump from continuing his campaign or becoming president. He can still vote for himself in his home state of Florida as long as he avoids prison in New York state.

 

Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, mentioned in a Fox News Channel interview on Thursday that Trump would conduct virtual rallies and campaign events if he’s convicted and sentenced to home confinement.

 

In a deeply divided America, it's unclear whether Trump’s once-unimaginable criminal conviction will impact the election. Leading strategists from both parties believe that Trump still remains well-positioned to defeat President Joe Biden, even as he faces the possibility of a prison sentence and three outstanding criminal cases.

 

In the short term, there are immediate signs that the guilty verdict is helping to unify the Republican Party’s various factions. GOP officials across the political spectrum have rallied behind their embattled presumptive presidential nominee, and his campaign reported a surge in fundraising dollars within hours of the verdict.

 

Polling on the prospect of a guilty verdict has been conducted, though such hypothetical scenarios are notoriously difficult to predict. A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll found that only 4% of Trump’s supporters would withdraw their backing if he’s convicted of a felony, while another 16% said they would reconsider their support.

 

as reported by APnews

 

 

2024-06-01

 

 

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[Danderman123]

Trump may have to take a drug test.

 

 

[Roo Island]

Lock him up! 😆