WHEN WILL TRUMP APPEAR IN COURT?
Trump is set to make his first court appearance on Thursday,
when prosecutors will outline the charges against him and a
judge will set his bail conditions. He might enter a plea at
that time, but his arraignment could also come at a later date.
A judge will then set a schedule for pretrial motions and
discovery, the months-long process when prosecutors hand over
documents and other evidence to defense lawyers.
Trump’s attorneys will likely file a motion to dismiss in coming
months, but those are rarely granted in criminal cases. Both
sides are also likely to file motions seeking to shape what
evidence and legal arguments will be permitted at trial.
HOW DOES THE CASE AFFECT TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN?
It doesn't, from a practical standpoint. Nothing prevents
criminal defendants from campaigning or taking office if they
are convicted.
The political impact is less clear. Trump has shown a unique
ability to weather scandals that would sink most politicians,
and two previous indictments did nothing to diminish his
commanding lead in the race for the Republican presidential
nomination.
If he wins the nomination, Trump would face off against
Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election.
Biden defeated Trump in 2020, but he has only a razor-thin edge
in polls of a hypothetical match-up with Trump, according to a
Reuters/Ipsos poll.
WHEN WILL THE TRIAL HAPPEN?
That is unclear, but it would likely be many months away. A
judge will set an initial trial date, but those are typically
pushed back as both sides wrangle over legal issues and review
evidence. Trump could also appeal pretrial rulings by a judge,
which would further slow down the case.
(Reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Howard
Goller and Daniel Wallis)
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