Jurors have these three choices when deliberating

After more than five weeks, countless hours of testimony and mountains of documents, New York Judge Juan Merchan directed a panel of 12 New Yorkers to make a historic decision: Donald Trump Whether Trump is guilty of felony charges.

On Wednesday, a day after both sides made their final statements to the jury, Judge Merchan issued deliberative instructions that reviewed each charge and explained the elements of the alleged offences.

While these instructions may be technical and dry, they are an important guide to juror deliberations.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had a sexual relationship with Mr Trump.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Mr. Trump improperly recorded fees he reimbursed former lawyers and mediators as legal expenses. They further accuse him of falsifying business records to cover up a second crime — violating state election laws.

The defense has sought to challenge the larger case by casting doubt on the testimony of a key prosecution witness, former attorney and convicted felon Michael Cohen.

Ultimately, it will be a jury that decides whether Trump becomes the first former president to be convicted of a felony.

Here’s what jurors can decide:

All 12 members of the jury must agree beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump is guilty before prosecutors can convict him.

It’s a worst-case scenario for Trump, who will become the first major party candidate to run for president as a convicted felon.

He will almost certainly appeal the verdict. His lawyers have repeatedly argued for a mistrial, each time without success.

If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison, or a lesser suspended sentence, and a fine. Most experts say the 77-year-old is unlikely to face jail time.

“This is a non-violent crime. It’s the lowest level of crime.” [felony] “Without records, his age, you name it, it’s highly unlikely,” said Julie Rendelman, a former prosecutor in Brooklyn.

If Trump is sentenced to prison, it would pose a logistical challenge for court officials and Secret Service agents who would be needed to protect him behind bars.

If all 12 members of the jury agree that prosecutors failed to prove Trump’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, he will be acquitted, which would be a major blow to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which prosecuted the case.

It only takes one of 12 jurors to unravel prosecutors’ case.

If jurors cannot agree on a verdict – guilty or not guilty – this results in a hung jury.

If they report to the judge that they cannot make a decision, Judge Melchan may instruct them to try one or two more times to make a ruling.

But if they still can’t, he will declare a mistrial. Prosecutors then have to decide on the spot whether to retry the case.

BBC News reporters are in a Manhattan courtroom covering the historic first criminal trial of a former US president. You can find their updates and analysis on the BBC News website and app, as well as on TV, radio and podcasts.