Is Trump Actually Going To Jail?

Former President Donald Trump’s recent guilty verdict on 34 counts related to concealing hush money payments has made history, marking him as the first president to be convicted of a felony. However, this conviction does not necessarily mean he will be heading to jail soon.

A New York jury found Trump guilty on all charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, concluding that he falsified business records. This stemmed from payments made by his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, aiming to silence news of an alleged affair as the 2016 election approached.

Despite the conviction, Trump’s path to serving any potential sentence is long and complex. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just a few days before he is expected to become the Republican nominee at the National Convention. Importantly, a felony conviction does not prevent him from running for office.

While Trump faces the possibility of jail time, it’s worth noting that first-time offenders on similar charges are often not incarcerated. All charges against Trump are Class E felonies, which carry a maximum sentence of four years each. However, individuals convicted of such crimes frequently receive probation instead of prison time.

Adding to the complexity, Trump is likely to appeal the verdict. Leaving the Manhattan courthouse, he condemned the ruling as “a disgrace” and maintained his innocence. He has 30 days to file a notice of appeal and six months to submit the full appeal, initiating a protracted legal battle that could extend beyond the November election. An appeals court might also stay his sentence, putting the matter on hold while he challenges the conviction.

Trump linked the jury’s decision to the upcoming election, suggesting that “the real verdict” will come from voters on November 5.

In addition to this case, Trump faces charges in three other investigations: two federal cases led by special counsel Jack Smith concerning his efforts to undermine the transition of power and the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, and a Georgia case regarding his attempts to interfere in the 2020 election results.

If Trump were to win the presidency, his administration might seek to dismiss the federal charges. However, the state-level cases in New York and Georgia are beyond the president’s pardoning power, leaving him vulnerable to those prosecutions regardless of his political fortunes.