Former President Donald Trump is facing a criminal trial in New York for hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. If convicted on all counts, he could theoretically face over a decade in prison. However, legal experts believe that a more likely outcome would be a sentence ranging from probation to four years in prison. Despite the charges, Trump is still free to campaign for president in 2024 until his appeal is heard.
The judge overseeing Trump’s case, Juan Merchan, has expressed frustration with Trump’s behavior, particularly his attacks on the judge’s family members. This behavior could potentially impact the sentence Trump receives. While some experts believe that Trump is likely to face imprisonment if convicted, others suggest that his status as a former president and the non-violent nature of the charges could result in a more lenient sentence, possibly probation.
Overall, the maximum possible sentence for Trump’s charges is four years per count, with the option for concurrent or consecutive sentences. Trump’s plea of not guilty means that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office must prove that the falsified records were related to concealing federal campaign finance violations. While Trump’s antics and attacks on the judge and district attorney may play a role in sentencing, ultimately it will be up to the judge to determine Trump’s fate.
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