It was a first in the US. Former US President Donald Trump, who is preparing to run in the US Presidential elections in November, was found guilty of all 34 separate charges in the “hush money” case. What kind of a process awaits Trump, who also made history as the first former president to appear before a judge for the first time due to the crimes against him? Here are the details…
Former US President Donald Trump was found guilty by the jury of all 34 separate charges against him in the “hush money” trial in New York, which has been going on for 6 weeks. Trump said in a statement after the jury’s verdict, “This was a disgraceful and fraudulent trial. People know what happened here. I am a very innocent man. I defend our country and our constitution. Our country has gone to hell, this is a rigged verdict, this judge should never have been allowed to look at this trial.”
A first in the US
Trump, who made history as the first US president to face a judge over the charges against him, also made history by being found guilty.
So what happens next?
After the jury reported the verdict, Trump’s sentence will be announced on July 11, 2024, but what happens next?
What sentence could the former US president receive?
This is entirely up to the judge presiding over the case, Juan Merchan. The items Trump was found guilty of (falsification of business records in the first degree) are classified as category E misdemeanors in New York. Merchan could sentence Trump to 1 to 4 years in prison, but experts say this is unlikely.
Will Trump get jail time?
Since this is the first time Trump has been found guilty in a case and he committed a crime on paper, it is unlikely to result in a prison sentence.
Experts told the Guardian that Trump’s sentence is likely to consist of a fine, probation, community service or a combination of these.
In the event that Trump is convicted and sentenced to jail, it is almost certain that he will appeal the verdict. In that case, it would take months or even years for the appeals process to conclude, which means it would take a long time for the sentence to take effect.
Will it hinder Trump’s candidacy?
The verdict will not be an obstacle for Trump, who is preparing to run for re-election in the US Presidential elections in November. Under the US Constitution, the conviction will not affect Trump’s legal right to run for president.
Trump will be able to take office if he wins the presidential election.
According to the US Constitution, it is sufficient to be over the age of 35, a citizen born in the US and a resident of the country for the last 14 years to run for president.
Will he become president if elected?
According to constitutional experts and legal experts, Trump, who was found guilty in the case against him and whose conviction will be announced on July 11, can still run in the presidential elections on November 5 and, if he wins, he can become President of the United States again.
According to experts, even if Trump is convicted on July 11, there is nothing preventing the former US president from running and, if he wins, becoming president.
Moreover, even if Trump receives a prison sentence in this case or in any of his other ongoing cases, depending on the laws of his state of residence, he will be able to vote on election day, November 5, if he is not in jail. However, even if he is sentenced to prison, due to the appeals process, this is unlikely to happen in the November elections.
