NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump will not face jail time, fines, or community service following his conviction related to hush money in New York. A judge concluded the case on Friday, issuing an unconditional discharge, which effectively means no penalties will be imposed.
However, unless the conviction for falsifying business records is overturned in the future, Trump will retain felonies on his criminal record, which could impact some of his rights.
Here’s a look at what this means for Trump and the potential consequences, as well as aspects that remain unchanged:
Is he still eligible to vote?
Trump, who is registered to vote in Florida, retains the right to vote in that state.
While Florida typically restricts voting for individuals convicted of felonies, those rights are automatically restored upon completing their sentences. However, individuals convicted of murder or sexual offenses lose their voting rights permanently unless restored by a clemency board.
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For felons from other states like Trump, Florida only disqualifies them from voting if they lost their rights in the state where they were convicted. In New York, voting rights are restored once individuals are released from incarceration.
Is gun ownership still an option for him?
No, he cannot own a firearm. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing guns.
Must he provide a DNA sample?
Yes, New York law mandates that anyone convicted of a felony must submit a DNA sample for the state’s crime database.
This sample is typically collected after sentencing when a defendant reports to probation, jail, or prison. Authorities may also collect samples through court or police procedures.
The collection process is non-invasive, requiring only a simple cheek swab. The state police analyze the genetic material to create a profile that is added to the databank.
This databank, which contains over 720,000 offender profiles, interfaces with the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, allowing for automated searches to match DNA collected from crime scenes with known offenders.
Can Trump still run for office with a felony conviction?
There are no federal laws that bar someone with a felony conviction from becoming president. However, state laws differ regarding eligibility for state and local offices; some may require a pardon or expungement to qualify, while federal office candidates face no such restrictions.
Is international travel still an option for him?
Yes, Trump can travel outside the United States. As a president, he possesses a diplomatic passport for official travel, in addition to a regular tourist passport. Generally, individuals sentenced to incarceration or probation may have travel restrictions, but that does not apply to Trump.
However, certain countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, may impose restrictions on entry for individuals with felony convictions.
Will this affect his business prospects?
Trump’s felony conviction could hinder his ability to obtain liquor licenses, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his hotels and golf courses will cease serving alcohol.
For instance, New Jersey law prohibits anyone convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude from holding a liquor license, which may impact Trump’s three golf courses in the state.
Nonetheless, Trump’s organization has stated that his properties are managed through corporate entities, and he does not serve as an officer or director of any entity holding liquor licenses.
Additionally, his conviction may prevent him from re-entering the casino industry, as obtaining gaming licenses is typically off-limits for those with criminal records. Trump previously owned three casinos in Atlantic City but no longer does so.
Is a pardon an option for him?
Only the governor of New York has the authority to pardon Trump for this particular conviction. Since the case was adjudicated in state court, it pertains to violations of state law, and presidential pardons are not applicable.
It seems unlikely that Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, would grant a pardon. When asked if she would consider it, she didn’t provide a direct answer but emphasized that the pardon process requires several components, including a demonstration of remorse.
Trump maintains that he did nothing wrong and has characterized the allegations against him as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats.
“No one will be treated any better, or any worse, by me when I make those life-altering decisions regarding petitions that come in throughout the year,” Hochul stated. “So, no one receives special favors, and no one is treated unfavorably.”
