Can Donald Trump contest the US presidential elections if he is arrested?

Former US President Donald Trump was recently found guilty on all 34 counts in the secret trial. Last week's verdict by a New York court marked the first time a former U.S. president was tried and convicted in a criminal case. However, it seems that the matter is far from over.

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, four days before Republicans meet to formally choose their presidential candidate for the November 2024 election.

Will Trump be jailed?

A big question ahead of the July 11 sentencing is whether Trump could go to prison. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, he indicated that he was “OK” with a possible prison sentence or house arrest.

“I agree with that,” he said when asked about potential sanctions.

“I saw one of my lawyers on TV the other day saying, 'Oh no, you don't want to do that to the president.' I said: you are not begging for anything,” he noted.

However, the former US president added that this would be difficult for the public to accept.

“I'm not sure the public would accept it…I think it would be difficult for the public to accept. You know, at some point there's a breaking point,” he noted .

Prison sentences, however, are rare for people convicted in New York state of falsifying business records – the charge against the ex-president at his trial. The maximum sentence for the crime is up to four years in prison, Reuters reported.

The charge of falsifying business records is a class E felony in New York, the lowest level of criminal charges in the state, the Associated Press noted.

Ultimately it will be up to the judge. It remains to be seen how much the judge considers the political and logistical complexities involved in imprisoning Trump, who is eyeing another term in the White House.

Other penalties in this case include a fine or probation.

The 77-year-old, however, faces a heavier prison sentence in the three other cases he is currently facing. But those have so far been bogged down by appeals and other legal battles.

Can Trump still challenge the polls?

Although he was convicted on 34 counts, the conviction does not prevent Trump from continuing his campaign or running for president. He will be allowed to vote for himself in his home state of Florida until he remains out of prison in New York State. After sentencing, he will also be able to challenge his conviction in a New York appeals court and possibly in the state's highest court.