As the Manhattan criminal trial of former President Donald Trump reaches its final phase, a jury is set to deliver a verdict on 34 felony counts alleging Trump falsified business records to hide a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. This marks the first time a former U.S. President has been indicted. The outcome could raise unprecedented legal and political questions, particularly as Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee and faces three other criminal cases. Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified that Trump approved the reimbursement plan central to the charges, but Cohen’s credibility is questionable due to his past crimes and lies.
Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified records with the intent to commit or conceal another crime, involving violations of federal and state election laws. Closing arguments are expected on May 28, after which the jury will deliberate. If convicted, Trump could face imprisonment, although first-time non-violent offenders typically receive probation and fines. The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years each, but it’s unlikely that a conviction would result in significant jail time due to Trump’s age, status as a former President, and the potential for him to become President again. He can appeal any guilty verdict, a process that could extend beyond the November election. Despite a potential conviction, Trump can still run for President as the Constitution does not bar felons from running for office. Whether he can vote depends on whether he is incarcerated at the time of the election, as New York law revokes voting rights only during incarceration.
