Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer stated that they are planning to appeal last week’s felony conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and does not believe Trump will receive a sentence. The jury in Manhattan found Trump guilty of falsifying business records after a six-week trial. Trump announced his intention to appeal the verdict and is set to be sentenced on July 11.
Trump’s attorney, Will Scharf, mentioned that they will vigorously challenge the case on appeal and expressed confidence that Trump will not receive a sentence. Scharf criticized the jury instructions given by Justice Juan Merchan and disagreed with some of the judge’s evidentiary decisions.
Scharf also highlighted the judge’s refusal to allow former Federal Election Commission official Brad Smith to testify and questioned the judge’s impartiality in the case. The defense team plans to challenge Justice Merchan’s decision not to recuse himself from the trial.
Trump, who denied the allegations, was found guilty of falsifying payments to cover up a hush money payment to a woman who claimed to have had an affair with him. Prosecutors argued that the payment was part of a broader scheme to influence the 2016 election.
The maximum sentence for falsification of business records is four years in prison, but some legal analysts believe Trump may not serve prison time due to his lack of a criminal record. If sentenced, alternatives like home confinement or a curfew could be considered, considering his status as a former president with a Secret Service detail.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Trump’s criminal conviction does not change their mission to protect current and former presidents. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg did not indicate whether his office would seek a prison sentence for Trump.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Can you please rewrite this sentence?
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