NEW YORK – Thirty-four charges, one often exasperated judge and a parade of witnesses.
After two days of deliberations, 12 New Yorkers found Donald Trump guilty of all charges in his hush-money case.
It is a history-making verdict following a history-making trial. Trump is now the first former US president with a criminal conviction, and the first major party candidate to run for the White House as a felon.
So what happens next? Can he still run for president?
Yes. The US Constitution sets out relatively few eligibility requirements for presidential candidates: they must be at least 35, be a “natural born” US citizen and have lived in the US for at least 14 years. There are no rules blocking candidates with criminal records.
But this guilty verdict still could sway November’s presidential election. A poll from Bloomberg and Morning Consult earlier this year found that 53% of voters in key swing states would refuse to vote for the Republican if he were convicted.
Another poll, from Quinnipiac University this month, showed 6% of Trump voters would be less likely to vote for him – consequential in such a tight race.
What happens to Trump now?
Trump has been free on bail throughout the trial and this did not change after the verdict was read on Thursday – the Republican was released on his own recognizance.
He will return to court on July 11 – the date Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled for a sentencing hearing.
But Trump said Friday his team will ask Justice Merchan for a different day, as the selected date is four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.
Regardless of the date, the judge will have several factors to consider in sentencing, including Trump’s age.
The sentence could involve a fine, probation or supervision, or possibly prison time.
Getty Images Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) exits the United States District Court Southern District of New York for a hearing related to Michael Cohen, President Trump’s longtime personal attorney and confidante, April 16, 2018 in New York CityGetty Images
Trump’s team may use Stormy Daniels’ testimony as grounds for appeal
Trump, who called the ruling a “disgrace”, said he will appeal the guilty verdict, a process that could take months or even longer.
Attorney Todd Blanche told CNN Thursday night that the former president’s legal team would “vigorously fight” the verdict with motions in the coming weeks. If those motions prove unsuccessful, they will appeal following his sentencing, Mr Blanche said.
His legal team would face the Appellate Division in Manhattan, and possibly the Court of Appeals.
This all means that even after sentencing it would be highly unlikely that Trump will leave the court in handcuffs, as he would be expected to remain free on bail while he appeals. (BBC)
