Judge Juan Merchan presided over the hearing in remarkable fashion for six weeks. he demonstrated a subtle blend of authority, listening, attention to the jurors, and open-mindedness towards the arguments of both parties. He was very concerned about respecting forms, standards and procedure. The permanent accusations made against him by Donald Trump, according to which the judge would be “corrupt” And ” biased “are missing the point.
It is therefore up to this experienced judge to bear the heavy responsibility of deciding the sentence. He has very wide latitude for this. He will receive a brief from the defense and the prosecution with, in a way, their suggestions, during the month of June. Then he will have to take into account numerous parameters. Donald Trump was unanimously convicted by the twelve jurors. This is a heavy and indisputable validation of the prosecution’s case. he was convicted of thirty-four counts of falsification of accounting documents, each punishable by a maximum sentence of four years in prison.
But most likely, in the case of a prison sentence, they overlap for each fact, and not that they add up. Judge Merchan can also impose a suspended prison sentence (requiring authorization to leave the State), or a house arrest, with daily verification by a judicial agent and wearing of an electronic bracelet. He can also impose a fine. The magistrate will take into account the profile of the convicted person, the absence of a criminal record (despite his civil convictions), the non-violent nature of the facts, the general security context (the problems that his incarceration would pose for example).
Last important point: Donald Trump will most likely appeal, which should have a suspensive nature for any prison sentence imposed. In any case, the sentence will not prevent the billionaire from being a candidate in the presidential election.
Yago