Donald Trump's criminal trial related to the hush money payment to p*rn star Stormy Danielswas just the first of four criminal cases against the ex-president to go to trial.
A New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records on Thursday. Judge Juan Merchan set a July 11 sentencing date.
When Trump's defense lawyer Todd Blanche requested the sentencing take place in mid to late July he even referenced the other cases against the ex-president.
Trump, who is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, also faces charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into election interference and the January 6 attack on the U.S.Capitol as well as charges for mishandling classified documents in Florida.
Separately, Trump, 77, faces charges for election interference in Georgia.
In total, Trump faced 88 criminal counts including the 34 he was convicted of on Thursday in New York. That leaves another 54 counts.
Trump has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Trial dates for the three other criminal cases have not yet been set.
Donald Trump leaving the Manhattan criminal courtroom after being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York
Trump Classified Documents Case
In Florida, Trump is facing one of two federal cases brought against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
The charges there relate to the classified documents found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate after he left office in 2021.
Trump's classified documents case could be stalled through the election
The Justice Department charged Trump with 40 felony counts, including the willful retention of classified documents, obstruction of justice and false statements from allegedly trying to impede the investigation.
In August 2022,the FBI seizing boxes containing documents with classified markings, mixed with other documents.
The trial was initially scheduled for May 20, but earlier this month, Trump-appointed District Judge Aileen Cannon delayed it indefinitely citing the need to resolve pre-trial issues in the case.
Federal Election Interference Case
The other case brought by Smith in Washington, DC stems from Trump's alleged effort to overthrow the 2020 election including the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump is facing four counts including conspiracy to defraud the United Sates, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of or attempting to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
It is arguably the most serious of the four cases against the ex-president.
Special Counsel Jack Smith brought an election interference case against Trump in Washington, DC and a case regarding the mishandling of classified documents in Florida.
District Judge Judge Tanya Chutkan overseeing the case and the DC Circuit Court of Appeals have both ruled Trump is not immune from prosecution.
Arguments over immunity were heard before the Supreme Court, but the country's highest court is not expected to release its decision until the end of its term in late June or early July.
If the court sides with Trump, it could bring an end to the case. The justices seemed skeptical of total immunity during oral arguments, but their decision could lead to further delays.
Once the decision is released, the district judge has already assured Trump that he would have two months of pretrial preparation before a trial moves forward.
It suggests the earliest the case could take place is in September, right as the 2024 campaign season kicks into high gear.
Georgia Election Interference Case
Trump facing 10 counts in a separate election interference case in Georgia stemming from the 2020 election.
The ex-president and 18 co-defendants were accused of trying to overturn his loss in the state. Four of the co-defendants plead guilty after reaching plea deals with prosecutors.
Charges include violating the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law.
Trump's lawyers and his 14 remaining co-defendants have been fighting to have the case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis thrown out over alleged misconduct.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis brought the election interference case against Trump in Georgia
Willis had proposed a trial start date of August 5, but it has been delayed due to the effort to disqualify her over an affair she had with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade.
Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis could continue to prosecute the case she brought as long as Wade stepped down, which he did hours later.
However, a Georgia appeals court agreed to review the lower court ruling earlier this month.
The move seems likely to delay the case.
