Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. The precise cost or costs are nonetheless unknown as a result of the indictment is beneath seal, however the case includes the hush cash fee his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to Stormy Daniels forward of the 2016 election.
Right here’s what we learn about what occurs subsequent within the authorized continuing.
When will the indictment be made public?
Unclear. The district legal professional, Alvin Bragg, can ask the courtroom to unseal the costs earlier than Trump seems for his arraignment, which is predicted subsequent week, or look ahead to the primary listening to in entrance of a decide.
Will Trump be arrested?
Trump’s attorneys have indicated that he’ll give up and switch himself in for processing. If the case proceeds as different high-profile instances have prior to now, he might be processed someplace throughout the district legal professional’s workplace in decrease Manhattan.
That will usually embrace paperwork, fingerprinting, a mug shot and a cross-check of any excellent felony costs, which might all occur behind closed doorways. As for when he’s really “beneath arrest,” as soon as he’s within the custody of cops, at that time he isn’t free to depart.
Will Trump be handcuffed?
That is unclear, too, however his Secret Service safety element would possibly complicate issues.
What occurs on the arraignment?
Trump is predicted to seem in individual for his arraignment subsequent week, as early as Tuesday.
That’s the primary time the costs in opposition to him shall be learn in open courtroom. Trump or his legal professional on his behalf would enter a plea, and he would then be launched with one other courtroom date. Trump wouldn’t need to publish bail given the character of the costs.
Will there be cameras within the courtroom?
It’s as much as the decide. Given the historic nature of the occasions, media shops will doubtless make the request, however the decide doesn’t have to permit cameras.
Who will preside over the arraignment?
NBC Information confirmed that the arraignment shall be presided over by Choose Juan Merchan, the identical decide who not too long ago heard the case in opposition to the Trump Group for tax fraud. The decide has tangled with Trump’s protection attorneys prior to now. Merchan may additionally preside over the brand new case, if it goes ahead to trial, or it may go to a different decide.
Can Trump nonetheless run for president?
Sure. The Structure doesn’t say something about disqualifying an individual for workplace primarily based on pending felony costs or a conviction.
Can Trump proceed to rail in opposition to the prosecution?
All defendants have a proper to vigorously defend their innocence, however Trump can’t threaten the prosecutor with out risking different authorized costs beneath New York legislation.
The decide may additionally situation a gag order to stop Trump from talking in regards to the case. Within the weeks main as much as the indictment vote, Trump escalated his assaults on Bragg and the judicial system. He additionally warned of “dying and destruction” if he have been charged.
How lengthy will this case take to get to trial?
Probably, a really very long time. Trump has made it very clear he’ll combat the costs. He’s entitled to “discovery” — the proof prosecutors have gathered of their investigation, together with grand jury minutes, probably providing a glimpse into witness testimony. After which Trump’s attorneys will doubtless file pre-trial motions to get the case dismissed on authorized grounds earlier than it even reaches a jury.
Is Trump dealing with jail time if convicted?
In idea, sure. The cost of falsifying enterprise data within the first diploma is a low-level felony carrying as much as 4 years in jail.
In actuality, it’s unsure whether or not Bragg would advocate Trump serve time behind bars (particularly given Bragg’s stance in opposition to non-violent offenses). In the long run, if convicted, a decide would resolve the suitable sentence.