Donald Trump’s legal situation is set to face another key moment next week, as a judge in New York will decide whether to cancel his conviction related to falsifying business records.
This conviction stems from Trump’s attempt to cover up payments made to an adult film star in 2016.
The judge, Justice Juan Merchan, has until November 12 to decide whether to throw out the conviction, a decision that could end the case entirely.
If the conviction stands, Trump will face sentencing on November 26s legal team argues that a recent U.S.
Supreme Court decision granting some presidential immunity could help him avoid the conviction, but this is still uncertain.
If the sentence is upheld, Trump’s team is expected to request more delays or appeals, making it likely that any sentencing would be pushed back until after his term as president .
Even oes face sentencing, legal experts believe it’s unlikely he will be sent to jail, as he is an older man with no criminal history and has been convicted of a non-violent crime.
Instead, he may receive a fine or even an “unconditional discharge,” meaning he would face no punishment .
One important at Trump cannot pardon himself for this state conviction, unlike potential federal charges, as he has no power to pardon state-level crimes in New York.
For now, the decision is up to the court, but many expect the outcome to be less severe than a jail sentence .
This situation is unchitory, as no sitting president has ever faced sentencing for a criminal conviction while in office.
Regardless of what happens, Trump is likely to avoid the most serious consequences, a point made by experts who describe him as “very lucky” in navigating these complex legal challenges .
Credit : BBC
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