Discover the Key Points to Look Out for at Trump’s New York Hush Money Hearing

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Discover the Key Points to Look Out for at Trump’s New York Hush Money Hearing

Donald Trump’s first criminal trial could see a date set on Thursday during a pre-trial hearing concerning his New York criminal hush money case. Expected to be present at the hearing in downtown Manhattan, Trump awaits Judge Juan Merchan’s rulings on several motions, including the trial’s potential start date of March 25. The charges against Trump relate to allegations of falsifying business records with the aim of concealing illicit activities connected to his 2016 presidential campaign.

Should the trial proceed as scheduled, it would mark a significant milestone in Trump’s legal proceedings, occurring concurrently with his 2024 presidential campaign. The trial’s timing has been uncertain, partly due to Trump’s federal trial in Washington, DC, on election subversion charges, now on hold as Trump seeks dismissal based on claims of presidential immunity.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg initially charged Trump, alleging he falsified business records to conceal hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump denies the affair and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Key issues to be addressed at Thursday’s hearing include Trump’s motion to dismiss the case or specific charges. Trump’s legal team argues that the case, resurrected after six years, serves political motives and lacks legal merit. Prosecutors contend that Trump conspired with his former attorney Michael Cohen to silence Daniels and falsified records to conceal reimbursement payments to Cohen.

Furthermore, the parties may dispute the multiplicity of charges against Trump and the admissibility of evidence related to his alleged intent to defraud. Trump’s attorneys seek clarification on alleged grand jury leaks and request additional information on the evidence against him.

The investigation into Trump’s alleged hush-money schemes began in 2018 under former District Attorney Cy Vance and intensified under Bragg, who took office in 2022. The grand jury indicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records, each carrying a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison. However, given Trump’s status as a first-time offender, a prison sentence is unlikely.

Notably, a conviction in the state trial would prevent Trump from pardoning himself if reelected president, as state charges do not fall under presidential pardon jurisdiction.

The investigation into Trump’s alleged hush-money schemes commenced in August 2018 under the prior Manhattan District Attorney, Cy Vance. This inquiry gained momentum after Michael Cohen’s guilty plea regarding payments made to Stormy Daniels. Under Vance’s tenure, the focus shifted to scrutinizing the Trump Organization’s finances, with the hush-money repayment scheme being just one aspect of the broader investigation.

However, the landscape changed when Alvin Bragg assumed office in January 2022. Bragg, emphasizing the need to hold Trump accountable, vowed to prosecute the former president. Consequently, a grand jury was convened in December 2022, leading to the indictment of Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records in March 2023.

The potential consequences of a conviction in the state trial are significant. While Trump could face up to four years in prison for each count, legal experts believe that as a first-time offender, he is unlikely to receive a prison sentence. Nevertheless, a conviction would mark Trump as a felon, irrespective of the sentence imposed.

Importantly, a conviction in the state trial would carry implications beyond the immediate legal consequences. Unlike federal charges, which a president can pardon, a state conviction would prevent Trump from pardoning himself if he were to be reelected president. This underscores the significance of the ongoing legal proceedings and their potential impact on Trump’s political future.

As the legal saga unfolds, Thursday’s pre-trial hearing holds considerable importance in determining the trajectory of Trump’s first criminal trial in New York. With multiple motions to be addressed and key decisions to be made, the hearing sets the stage for the trial’s commencement, potentially marking a pivotal moment in Trump’s post-presidential legal battles.

Trump’s inaugural trial may commence next month amidst ongoing primaries. Merchan initially set the trial for March 25 last year, with room for adjustments in case of conflicts, particularly referring to federal cases overseen by special counsel Jack Smith. Notably, the trial in Washington, DC, regarding Trump’s alleged election subversion, initially slated for March 4, is currently on hold due to Trump’s immunity claims.

The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s appeal further complicates the scheduling, pending the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to hear the case. Depending on the outcome, the trial could resume swiftly under Judge Chutkan or face considerable delay while the presidential immunity issue is addressed.

Despite taking a back seat last year amidst other legal battles, the New York trial is poised to take center stage as the first jury trial determining Trump’s innocence or guilt. If the March 25 date holds, it coincides with Trump’s active participation in presidential primaries for the Republican nomination, potentially setting the stage for a general election rematch against President Biden.

Whether Trump’s presence will be mandatory throughout the trial remains uncertain. While his attendance for Thursday’s hearing was optional, Trump opted to attend instead of being present at a hearing in Georgia regarding efforts to disqualify Willis from his case there.

Thursday marks Trump’s fourth appearance in courtrooms this year, including various cases in New York. He attended closing arguments in his civil fraud trial and testified in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, where he was found liable for damages. Trump also participated in oral arguments on his immunity claims at the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in January.

In previous courtroom appearances, Trump made his presence known through testimony and audible commentary, despite restrictions imposed by judges. Cameras will be present at Thursday’s hearing, potentially offering Trump a platform to address the ongoing trial and its implications.

As Trump and his legal team navigate the hush money trial, Thursday’s appearance may provide insights into their approach and strategy moving forward.