A New York jury on Thursday found former United States of America President Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in an effort to conceal a hush money payment made to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Politically, the unprecedented criminal conviction of a former U.S. president — and presumptive major-party presidential nominee — plunges the nation into uncharted waters, as the Republican continues his campaign against President Joe Biden.
After delivering its verdict, the jury is dismissed with the case moving on to the sentencing phase, a process largely controlled by Judge Juan Merchan.
Trump’s sentence hearing will be on the 11th of July.
The parties are expected to submit sentencing memos — in which each side presents arguments in favor of its preferred punishment — and other court filings.
Trump will also likely sit for an interview with a probation officer for a pre-sentence report.
In the meantime, Trump will be free to speak to the press, travel and continue his presidential campaign. He will also no longer be bound by the gag order that barred him from discussing witnesses, jurors and the judge’s family members, among others.
Trump’s guilty verdict does not automatically make him a “convicted felon,” however, This label will not be accurate until after he is sentenced in July.
The charges against Trump are Class E felonies, the least serious category under New York law and each count carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.
Trump’s sentence could include fines and restitution, probation or other conditions — but a sentence of imprisonment is not off the table.
The judge also previously accused Trump of trying to “intimidate” the court, prompting an expansion of the gag order that Trump would later violate 10 times.
Trump will appeal to the New York Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department.
If that court upholds the verdict, Trump may be able appeal to the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court.
The U.S. Constitution requires that American presidents be natural-born U.S. citizens who are at least 35 years old, and who have lived in the country for at least 14 years.
It does not bar felons from holding its highest office.
Source: CNBC
