Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records.
- Trump violated the gag order during the trial
- The maximum sentence is 4 years in prison
- Sentencing date set for July 11th
Will Trump actually go to jail for this crime?
Trump’s Conviction Explained
On Tuesday, a New York jury found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments. This is a felony charge.
Typically for first-time, non-violent offenders, little or no jail time is given. However, legal experts think Trump’s behavior during the trial could lead to harsher punishment from the judge.
Trump violated a court order not to publicly discuss the case. He frequently criticized the proceedings on his social media platform Truth Social.
Potential Sentence Lengths
The maximum sentence for Trump’s conviction is 4 years in prison. Some legal analysts predict he may receive 1-2 years behind bars.
However, the decision ultimately rests with Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial. Judge Merchan could also decide to give Trump probation with no jail time.
Trump plans to appeal the guilty verdict, which could delay sentencing. However, the Secret Service is already making preparations in case Trump gets sentenced to jail.
Trump Reacts Angrily
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Trump lashed out, calling the trial “rigged” and a “disgrace.” He accused the judge of being corrupt and claimed he did nothing wrong.
Trump said he is an “innocent man” and vowed to keep fighting the conviction. He claimed the Biden administration was behind the charges to “wound” a political opponent.
Trump also said he will not drop out of the 2024 presidential race over this conviction.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11th, less than 4 months before the 2024 election. If Trump receives jail time, it raises major questions about his ability to campaign and serve as president if re-elected.
The appeals process could take over a year, potentially pushing any prison sentence past the election. But will voters care about a felony conviction? Only time will tell the impact on Trump’s political future.
Screenshot taken from inews.co.uk
