Twelve New Yorkers judged Donald Trump guilty of all counts in his hush-money case after two days of deliberations.
As of right now, Trump is the first major party candidate to run for president while a convicted felon and the first former US president with a criminal record.
Can Donald Trump still run for President of United States?
Yes. Only three minimal prerequisites are outlined in the US Constitution for presidential candidates: they must be at least 35 years old, citizens of the US by birth, and have been residing in the country for at least 14 years. There are no regulations prohibiting applicants with a criminal history.
Yet the presidential election in November might still be influenced by this criminal decision. According to a study conducted earlier this year by Bloomberg and Morning Consult, 53% of voters in crucial swing states said they would not support the Republican if he was proven guilty.
This month, a different Quinnipiac University survey revealed that 6% of Trump supporters would be less inclined to support him, which is significant in such a close contest.
After the judgment was announced on Thursday, Donald Trump remained free on bond, as he had been throughout the trial; he was freed on his own recognizance.
On July 11, Judge Juan Merchan has set a date for him to appear in court again for a sentence hearing.
In determining Trump’s sentence, the court will take into account a number of considerations, including his age. A fine, probation or monitoring, or even jail time might be part of the penalty.
Trump, who referred to the decision as a “disgrace,” would most likely file an appeal against the guilty finding, which may take many months or possibly longer.
The Manhattan Appellate Division and maybe the Court of Appeals would be the opponents of his legal team.
All of this implies that even after being sentenced, it is very unlikely that Trump would exit the courtroom wearing handcuffs because he is anticipated to be released on bail in order to pursue an appeal.
The possibility exists, however slim, that Trump will spend time in prison. All 34 of the counts against him are class E felonies in New York, the lowest category available. A maximum term of four years is imposed for each charge.
Trump’s age, his lack of prior convictions, and the fact that the allegations relate to a non-violent offense are just a few of the factors why Justice Merchan may decide to impose a lighter sentence.
During the trial, he could take into account Trump’s disregard for the court’s gag orders. It’s also feasible that the court might consider how unusual the case is and decide against locking up a former president and current contender.
