What happens during a probation interview? Everything Trump should expect on Monday.

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

Top line

New York officials will question former President Donald Trump on Monday about his felony convictions, family and personal life during a virtual probation interview, as Judge Juan Merchan prepares to sentence Trump for his historic criminal conviction next month.

Former US President Donald Trump appears in court during his trial for allegedly covering up his silence. … [+] cash payments on April 30, 2024 in New York.

Getty Images

Highlights

Trump, who was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan court nearly two weeks ago, will open what is called a “pre-conviction investigation,” the same manner that any person convicted of a crime or certain offenses would do.

An agent with the New York City Probation Department will collect information about Trump's personal life, family, community ties, educational and employment history, health, substance abuse history and finances, according to the website from the city.

Preliminary investigations often also include interviews with crime victims, law enforcement officers, the prosecutor, family members, and others, and the officer also reviews all relevant court documents such as trial transcripts and indictments.

The process also often includes a home visit, but not always, and it is unclear whether or not an officer plans to visit Trump's place of residence.

After gathering all relevant information, the probation officer prepares a report which is submitted to the sentencing judge, in this case Merchan, who then uses it to make a sentencing decision (the report is also communicated to the defense and the prosecution).

Martin Horn, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections and Probation, told NBC News that Trump's interview process will be slightly different than that of an average convicted felon because his probation interview is conducted by video conference, while most people's one takes place at the Manhattan Criminal Court building.

Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, will be present, after the judge presiding over the case granted a request from Trump's team and prosecutors did not object.

Get breaking news text alerts from Forbes: We send SMS alerts so you're always aware of the biggest stories making headlines of the day. Send “Alerts” by SMS to (201) 335-0739 or register here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.

Crucial quote

“It is very unusual for a pre-sentence investigative interview to be conducted via Zoom,” Horn told NBC. “But it can be argued that Trump's appearance at the probation office on the 10th floor of Manhattan Criminal Court, where his trial took place, with the Secret Service and the press following him, would be very disruptive for the probation office. probation and unfair to the other defendants. who might not want to be identified.

To monitor

Trump's conviction. It is scheduled for July 11, a few days before the Republican National Convention. His sentence could range from a fine of up to $5,000 to house arrest to four years in prison for each of his criminal convictions. Because he is a first offender for a nonviolent crime and would pose significant logistical challenges, it is unlikely that Trump would be sentenced to prison for these crimes.

Key context

A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying documents to conceal his reimbursement to lawyer Michel Cohen for secret payments Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. The payments were intended to prevent Daniels to go public with a sexual relationship she said she had with the future president a decade earlier, in 2006. Trump was convicted on all 34 counts and became the first president to be convicted of a crime. .