Legal experts say Trump could face a harsher sentence if he is convicted in Manhattan of dozens of violations of the gag order.
Read: Samuel Alito Is The Insurrectionist Threat To Democracy On The Supreme Court
Trump has officially been found to have violated the gag order on ten occasions, but observers say there are many more. Prosecutors are still tracking Trump’s comments, which they could use to argue for a harsher sentence if Trump is convicted.
Politico reports that Trump’s actions will also affect the possible sentence imposed by the silent review judge:
Merchant’s decision on whether to impose a lesser penalty, such as jail time or probation, may depend on how the judge weighs various mitigating or aggravating factors.
“Repentance and the need to promote respect for the law are factors that judges typically consider when imposing a sentence. Trump’s repeated violations of the gag order undoubtedly demonstrate a lack of remorse and respect for the law.
Factors that favor Trump’s lighter sentence are that he is a first-time offender, nearly 80 years old, and if convicted, his crime will be non-violent.
However, Trump’s attitude, actions, lack of remorse and likelihood of re-offending are all factors that could lead to a harsher sentence.
If Trump is convicted in Manhattan, the primary outcome will not be jail time. This would be considered a felony. The Republican nomination of a convicted felon as their nominee could end Trump’s political career and his hopes of winning in 2024.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a member of the White House press corps and a congressional reporter for PoliticusUSA. Jason holds a BA in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, particularly social reform movements.
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