When will Donald Trump be sentenced in New York hush money conviction? – NBC Bay Area

A New York jury on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment before the 2016 presidential election.

The verdict constitutes an unprecedented legal assessment for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee ahead of the November election. Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and could face a tricky dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail.

Here's what happens next:

Sentencing

The case now moves to the sentencing phase, a process largely controlled by Judge Juan Merchan.

Before adjourning Thursday afternoon, Merchan set Trump's sentencing for July 11 at 10 a.m. ET, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He ordered the parties in the case to file motions by June 13.

Trump's lawyers could try to push his sentencing date later, perhaps even until after the November 5 presidential election. But Merchan is unlikely to grant such a delay without good reason, said New York City defense attorney Michael Bachner.

Parties are expected to submit sentencing memos — in which each side presents arguments in favor of their preferred sentence — and other court documents, CNBC reported. Trump will also likely interview with a probation officer for a pre-sentence report, which would include sentencing recommendations.

Possible punishment

The charges of falsifying business records — which are Class E felonies, the least serious type of crime under New York law — are punishable by up to four years in prison, although prosecutors have not said whether they intended to seek imprisonment, and it is unclear whether the judge would impose that punishment even if asked.

Trump's potential sentence could also include a combination of fines and restitution, probation or other conditions.

Judge Merchan has broad discretion in sentencing and may consider all sorts of factors in his final decision.

Call

The appeal process would take place over several months or even years, according to CNBC. So even if Trump's conviction were ultimately overturned, it probably wouldn't happen before Election Day.

Trump will appeal to the First Judicial Department of the New York Appellate Division. If that court upholds the verdict, Trump could then appeal to the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court.

Presidential campaign

Trump's legal battles won't stop him from running for president.

The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly prohibit a presidential candidate from running for office while under indictment or even while serving time behind bars. Eligibility requirements for presidents only stipulate that they must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, and a resident of the country for at least 14 years.

It is unclear what impact this criminal conviction will have on his presidential campaign against President Joe Biden. The candidates are scheduled to face off in two presidential debates: one hosted by CNN in Atlanta on June 27 and the other by ABC News on September 10.

Trump does not have a campaign rally on the calendar at this time, although he is expected to hold fundraisers next week.

Longtime investors David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya are expected to host a fundraiser for the former president on June 6 in San Francisco, according to an invitation reviewed by CNBC.

Trump is also likely to hold a fundraiser in the Hamptons after the GOP nominating convention in mid-July, a person familiar with the planning told CNBC.

And from now on, Trump will no longer be bound by the ban on speaking about witnesses, jurors and members of the judge's family. He will be free to speak to the press, travel and continue his presidential campaign.

Judge Juan Merchan ruled that former President Donald Trump violated the court's silence order for comments about the jury in his New York criminal case.