Donald Trump indicted with 91 felonies, could face 700 years in prison.
Donald Trump Faces 91 Charges: Is Jail Time in His Future?
Donald Trump is currently facing a staggering 91 charges across four criminal cases, with Georgia presenting the most realistic scenario for the former president and 2024 GOP front-runner landing in jail.
The charges in these cases, two federal and two local, carry a maximum sentence of over 700 years in prison, along with hefty fines.
Trump’s Indictment: The Advantage and Disadvantage of Pardons
In the federal cases, one in Florida related to classified documents and another in Washington, D.C. related to the 2020 election, Trump could potentially pardon himself if reelected or be pardoned by another president, which would relieve him of trials and any convictions.
However, this option does not exist in the two local cases. In Georgia, the charges are related to the 2020 election, and in New York, they involve a 2016 hush money scheme.
The New York Case: Weakest or Strongest?
In New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a Class E felony. Legal experts believe this case may result in a prison sentence of one to four years per count.
The judge in the case, Juan Merchan, will consider Trump’s lack of prior felony convictions, which could lead to lighter penalties such as probation and fines. Critics argue that this case is the weakest of the four, as it deals with allegations from several years ago that may fall outside the statute of limitations.
However, Judge Merchan has set the trial to begin on March 25, 2024, rejecting Trump’s motion for recusal.
The Florida Case: A Serious Threat
In Florida, special counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with 40 felonies, including willful retention of national defense information, violations of the Espionage Act. These charges carry a maximum combined sentence of 450 years in jail.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, is overseeing the case. While some speculate she may be sympathetic to the former president, legal experts consider this case to be the least debatable.
Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, has described the Florida case as “the most serious threat” to Trump, citing established legal authority and substantial evidence. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 20, 2024.
The Washington, D.C. Case: Novel and Controversial
In Washington, D.C., special counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with four counts, alleging conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election illegally. The case could result in a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, known for her tough sentencing in cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, is overseeing the case. Trump’s defense team has already raised constitutional concerns about free speech infringement, adding complexity to the trial. The trial is set to begin on Jan. 2, 2024.
The Georgia Case: RICO Act Violation and Co-Conspirators
In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has charged Trump with 13 felonies, including a violation of the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The indictment, delivered by a grand jury, implicates 18 others by name and involves an additional 30 co-conspirators. Trump cannot hope for a federal or state pardon in this case, at least not in the near future.
Willis has set a deadline of 10 days for Trump and the other defendants to turn themselves in. They are expected to be temporarily booked in jail and have their mugshots taken. The trial is proposed to begin on March 4, 2024.
Regardless of their status, all defendants will have a mugshot taken, as the Fulton County sheriff has stated that they will follow their normal practices.
It remains to be seen how these cases will unfold, but one thing is certain: Donald Trump’s legal battles are far from over.
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