NEW YORK CITY – Former President Donald Trump is set to participate in a virtual interview with a probation officer from his residence in Florida on Monday as part of the sentencing process for his recent felony conviction relating to hush-money payments in New York City.
Trump, the first US president to be criminally convicted, will be joining the interview from Mar-a-Lago along with his lawyer Todd Blanche. This virtual interview will be utilized by a probation officer in preparing a pre-sentencing report for Justice Juan Merchan, who will determine the appropriate punishment for Trump.
Having been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, Trump is scheduled for sentencing on July 11th. The virtual nature of this interview has raised eyebrows within the legal community, as it is not common practice for such proceedings to take place remotely.
Former New York City Department of Correction and Probation commissioner, Martin Horn, noted that conducting the interview via Zoom is highly unusual, but it may serve to avoid disruptions that a physical appearance by Trump in downtown Manhattan could cause.
Typically, convicts in the New York Court system do not have their attorneys present during probation interviews. However, Judge Merchan has granted permission for Blanche to accompany Trump during the session, which will play a crucial role in determining the severity of his punishment.
Pre-sentencing reports delve into various aspects of a convict’s life, including personal history, financial status, and health condition, offering the judge valuable insight into the individual before handing down a sentence. This interview could also provide Trump with an opportunity to plead for leniency.
Despite his conviction, legal analysts suggest that Trump may avoid incarceration due to his age and lack of criminal record. Meanwhile, Trump continues to challenge the verdict, asserting that the case is politically motivated as he plans to appeal the conviction.