Trump, the likely Republican nominee for president, was found guilty last month of falsifying business records on all 34 counts in the traditional situation. The court requires the supervision exam as part of the former government’s pre-sentence report.
After lawyers did not object, Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the calm money case, granted Blanche the right to be current for the parole meeting. On June 13, the Trump defense team will make a sentencing recommendation.
On July 11, just before the Republican National Convention begins, the former president will be sentenced for all 34 felonies in New York.
Although it is unusual to hold a probation interview over a video conference call, according to some legal experts, having the former president on a New York probation would also be unprecedented.
Former New York City Department of Corrections and Probation commissioner Martin Horn told NBC News,” It is very unusual for a pre-sentence investigation interview to be conducted over Zoom,” but he also acknowledged that Trump’s in-person visit to the probation office would be “very disruptive.”
” But you can argue that Trump’s appearance at the probation office on the 10th floor of the Criminal Court Building in Manhattan, where his trial took place, would be very disruptive to the probation office and unfair to other defendants who might not want to be identified, would be very disruptive to the probation office,” he said. ” So in the end, this might be better for the probation officer”.
Horn noted that a probation interview’s primary goal is to learn about Trump’s social and criminal past, his financial situation, his mental health, his physical or addiction issues, and his current situation.
According to Horn, Trump might be asked if he is associated with anyone who has a criminal record because he cannot associate with them if he is placed on probation. After that, the probation officer might want to interview others in Trump’s home. Although officers typically fulfill their inquiries in one session, there could be follow- up interviews. The probation officer will then deliver Merchan with a report.
The former president could spend up to four years in prison on probation. According to some legal experts, Trump is unlikely to face jail time because of his age, lack of criminal history, and other factors.
Duncan Levin, a former Manhattan prosecutor who now serves as a defense attorney, said the prosecution is likely to request jail time.
Blanche, Trump’s lawyer, will be present to ensure no questions put his client in legal jeopardy, Levin said. Given that Trump is one of the most thoroughly scrutinized public figures, the hearing serves as the court’s way to assess his worth beyond what was revealed during the trial.  ,
” It is unlikely to move the needle because the judge knows so much about his background”, Levin said, referring to the probation hearing.
Levin also pointed to Merchan’s gag order against Trump after he attacked members of his family and the past jail sentence of Michael Cohen, Trump’s self- described former fixer who acted as the prosecution’s star witness, for a series of federal charges, including lying to Congress.
The judge warned him if he violates the gag order, and he did it again several times, Levin said,” to the extent that an E felony is punishable by jail, this case screams out for jail time. He has shown no remorse and has been held in contempt… And violating the electoral process is as grave a record-keeping felony as it has ever been committed in New York courts.
Dareh Gregorian contributed.
