The New York prosecutor who investigated the case, Alvin Bragg, who welcomed the verdict on Thursday evening, did not wish to indicate whether the prosecution intended to request a prison sentence.
Donald Trump theoretically faces prison time, with falsification of accounting documents punishable by a maximum of four years in New York State. But in the absence of a criminal record of the defendant, who will be 78 years old at the time of sentencing, the judge should instead sentence him to a suspended prison sentence, or to community service, as well as possibly a fine.
“We will appeal as soon as possible”
“We will appeal”
In any case, Donald Trump has one month to notify his intention to appeal, announced on Thursday evening: “We will appeal as soon as possible,” declared Todd Blanche, the former president’s main lawyer in this case. file, on CNN. “In New York, the procedure says: there is the sentencing. Then we will appeal.”
Trump then has several months to do so officially. This appeal will most likely have a suspensive effect on his sentence, particularly in the event of prison time. And a possible trial and appeal is unlikely to be held before the presidential election.
American presidential election: our section
Application still valid
This criminal conviction, any more than a possible prison sentence, does not invalidate his candidacy in any case. If he wins, he will be able to take office in January 2025. However, he will not be able to pardon himself or order the abandonment of these proceedings since it is a procedure of the State of New York and not federal.
“We saw today in New York that no one is above the law”
At the end of the trial, Donald Trump repeated that the “real verdict” would not be that of the twelve New York jurors but of tens of millions of American voters on November 5. And the billionaire maintains, in a call for donations published Thursday evening: “I am a political prisoner”. The former American president is due to hold a press conference this Friday from his Trump Tower in New York, scheduled for 5 p.m. French time.
Joe Biden did not react
In contrast, his rival Joe Biden has been discreet. “We saw today in New York that no one is above the law,” his campaign team commented Thursday, while the president, who was with his family on the occasion of the anniversary of the death of his eldest son, did not personally react.
But the Democrat, who must juggle on Friday between an interview with the Belgian Prime Minister and celebration of the Super Bowl (American football) champions, could then release a few words to the press about this resounding verdict. Joe Biden, who was careful not to comment too much on his predecessor’s legal troubles, however, recently launched a few barbs on this subject, criticizing his legal expenses or saying he was “very busy at the moment”, in reference to the billionaire’s criminal hearings. At New York.
