Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts in his historic criminal trial concerning ‘hush money’ payments to silence porn star Stormy Daniels.
The verdict, delivered by a jury of seven men and five women after nearly 10 hours of deliberation, marks the first time a former U.S. President has faced a criminal trial.
This unprecedented decision could significantly impact the 2024 White House race, making it a pivotal moment in American history.
Trump’s Reaction and Future Plans
Outside the courthouse, a visibly shaken Trump called the verdict a “disgrace” and claimed the trial was “rigged by a conflicted judge.” Despite the conviction, Trump vowed to continue his fight against the ruling and to remain a contender in the November election.
“The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people, and they know what happened here. We’ll keep fighting and fight till the end, and we’ll win because our country’s gone to hell,” he asserted.
Can Trump Still Run for President?
Yes, Trump can still run for president. The U.S. Constitution does not prohibit convicted felons from running for the highest office.
This means Trump could potentially become the 47th President of the United States in November. However, he holds the distinction of being the only former or serving president to be found guilty of a crime and the first major-party presidential nominee to be a convicted felon.
Is Trump Allowed to Vote?
Yes, for now. Although Florida, where Trump resides, makes it difficult for felons to regain their voting rights, Trump was convicted in New York.
Florida generally defers to the disenfranchisement rules of the state where the conviction occurred. Thus, Trump would be able to vote, provided he is not incarcerated on election day, as per New York’s rules.
Will Trump Go to Jail?
Possibly. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, but it is up to Justice Juan Merchan to decide whether his punishment will include jail time.
Legal experts suggest it is unlikely that Trump will receive a prison sentence due to his status as a non-violent first offender.
Nonetheless, the possibility exists that the Republican nominee could end up in jail. Trump’s legal team has vowed to appeal the conviction, meaning he will remain free on bail during the appeals process.
Potential Sentence for Trump
Each of the 34 charges Trump was convicted of carries a maximum potential sentence of up to four years in prison.
If given the maximum sentence for each count, Trump would face a lengthy prison term. However, legal experts believe this outcome is highly improbable.
The consensus is that Trump is more likely to receive a substantial fine, considering his lack of prior criminal activity. Regardless of the sentence, Trump is certain to appeal.
Details of the Case
The case centered on allegations that Trump attempted to corrupt the 2016 election by concealing a $130,000 hush money payment made by his lawyer Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels.
Prosecutors argued that the payment was falsely labeled as legal expenses to hide its true purpose and interfere with the election.
The jury agreed with the prosecution, finding Trump guilty on all counts. Trump’s defense contended that Cohen performed legitimate legal work for Trump, but this argument did not sway the jury.
Sentencing Date
Judge Juan Merchan has set Trump’s sentencing date for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Trump is expected to accept the GOP presidential nomination in person at the convention. However, these plans could be disrupted if he receives a prison sentence.
Other Legal Challenges
Trump’s trial related to the hush money payment is only the first of four criminal cases against him. He also faces charges from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into election interference and the January 6 Capitol attack, as well as charges for mishandling classified documents in Florida.
In total, Trump is facing 88 criminal counts, including the 34 for which he was just convicted.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and trial dates for the other cases have yet to be set, meaning they are unlikely to interfere with the election process.
Conclusion
The conviction of Donald Trump in the hush money case is a landmark event with far-reaching implications.
As the first former president to be found guilty of a crime, Trump’s legal and political future remains uncertain.
With appeals pending and additional legal battles on the horizon, the impact of this historic verdict will continue to unfold in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
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