Donald Trump’s Sentencing and Appeal: What’s Next?
Former President Donald Trump was sentenced on Friday in his New York criminal case, more than seven months after being convicted for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment. Despite receiving an "unconditional discharge" with no prison time or probation, Trump plans to appeal the conviction, calling it a "disgrace."
What’s Next for Trump’s Appeal?
Trump has 30 days to file a "notice of appeal," which will allow an intermediate state court to review the case. The process could take months, during which both Trump’s legal team and the prosecution will submit briefs, and the court may hold oral arguments.
Grounds for the Appeal
Trump’s legal team could challenge the conviction based on a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, which restricts the use of presidential acts in criminal cases. He might also argue the case should be dismissed due to his election victory or that improper evidence, such as the "Access Hollywood" tape, was used in the trial.
Additionally, Trump could challenge the jury instructions, which allowed jurors to convict him based on various potential criminal acts, without requiring agreement on a specific charge.
Conclusion
While the sentencing marks a significant point in the case, Trump’s appeal gives him another opportunity to overturn the conviction. The legal battle is far from over, and we’ll likely see more developments in the coming months.