Former President Donald Trump on Thursday was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his criminal hush money trial.

It was the first time a former US president was ever tried or convicted in a criminal case, and was the first of Trump's four indictments to reach trial.

Prosecutors accused Trump of falsifying internal business records to cover up hush money payments tied to an alleged scheme to bury stories that might torpedo his 2016 White House bid.

At the heart of the charges were reimbursements paid to Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors said the reimbursements were falsely logged as "legal expenses" to hide the true nature of the transactions.

The charges Trump faces are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied any wrongdoing and had pleaded not guilty.

Judge Juan M. Merchan has set Trump's sentencing for July 11.

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As the high-profile criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York nears its conclusion, a potential guilty verdict could unleash a cascade of historic legal and political consequences.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, stands accused of 34 felony counts related to allegations that he falsified business records to conceal hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. While Trump faces several other criminal investigations, this Manhattan case represents the first to reach a jury verdict and could be the sole legal matter resolved before voters head to the polls.

The trial has featured testimony from Trump's former confidant Michael Cohen, who claims the former president personally approved the reimbursement scheme at the heart of the charges. However, Cohen's credibility has been called into question due to his own history of dishonesty and criminal conduct.

Regardless of the outcome, Trump has preemptively framed the case as a political witch hunt, sowing the seeds for his response – be it claiming vindication or perpetuating a narrative of victimhood. Yet a conviction would mark an unprecedented blemish on a presidential campaign and could further complicate Trump's legal jeopardy if he reclaims the White House.

As this uncharted territory looms, several critical questions arise – here is everything you need to know: 

Could Trump still run if convicted?

Yes. The Constitution's requirements for presidential eligibility do not explicitly prohibit candidates with felony convictions from running or holding office. Legal experts assert that states cannot impose additional qualifications beyond the federal criteria.

Would Trump face incarceration?

 It's possible but not guaranteed. While the charges carry potential prison terms of up to four years each, judges often opt for probation and fines over jail time for first-time, non-violent offenders. Trump's advanced age, lack of prior record, and status as a former and potential future president could factor into the sentencing judge's calculations.

Could Trump appeal?

Almost certainly. Trump would likely pursue appeals through New York's state court system, a process that could easily extend past the 2024 election.

Would Trump retain the right to vote? 

Potentially. Under New York law, incarcerated individuals cannot vote, but those on probation maintain their voting privileges. If Trump avoids jail time through either a non-custodial sentence or a protracted appeal, he would likely be eligible to cast a ballot.

How might this impact Trump's other cases?

 While a conviction would not directly affect Trump's separate indictments in Florida, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., it could shape public perception, influence potential juries, and factor into future sentencing decisions. Prosecutors may also wield a guilty verdict to challenge Trump's credibility.

As this legal imbroglio unfolds, the ramifications of the imminent verdict could fundamentally reshape the frontiers of presidential politics for years to come.

The post Will Trump be convicted or acquitted: This is how it could shape the 2024 election appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Former president and current presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on charges related to hush money payments made in 2017 to an adult film actress who claimed to have had an affair with the former president years earlier. The historic indictment marks the first time a former US president has faced criminal charges. We answered some of the most FAQs:

Q: What is the background of this case?

A: In the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump years earlier. The payment was meant to prevent Daniels from going public with her story before the election.

Q: What has Donald Trump been charged with?

A: Former President Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, in violation of Penal Law §175.10," according to the indictment, related to the Stormy Daniels hush money payment.  

Q: What are the specific allegations?  

A: "The defendant… on or about February 14, 2017, with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise, to wit, an entry in the Detail General Ledger for the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust… and kept and maintained by the Trump Organization," the indictment states, essentially accusing Trump of falsifying records at the Trump Organization to conceal reimbursements made to Cohen for facilitating the hush money payment to Daniels.

Q: Why is falsifying business records considered a crime in this case?

A: Prosecutors allege the falsified records were an effort to cover up a violation of federal campaign finance laws by failing to properly disclose the reimbursements as a campaign expense. Thus, according to prosecutors, Trump violated New York's financial laws in order to commit a federal felony by not reporting funds that were serving his election bid. 

Q: Is this an unprecedented case? 

A: Yes, Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges.

Q: What are the potential consequences if convicted?

A: In New York, falsifying business records carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison. However, defendants without prior records rarely get maximum sentences for this low-level felony.

Q: What potential outcomes could arise from the indictment?

A: Possible outcomes include an acquittal if convicted, a plea deal with lesser charges, or a conviction that could jeopardize Trump's future political ambitions and ability to run for president again in 2024. The case could also face appeals and protracted legal battles.

In summary, the indictment stems from the 2017 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels and charges Trump with falsifying business records at the Trump Organization to cover up the reimbursements to his lawyer for that payment. While unprecedented for a former president, the charges are low-level felonies, but a conviction could carry significant political and legal consequences for Trump.

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