The future is in Judge Merchan's hands

Now that a jury has found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony charges, nearly everything about what happens next is up to Judge Juan Merchan.

- By Brian Bennett

Merchan at his office at New York County Criminal Court in 2022

The experienced New York Supreme Court justice who has presided over Trump's Manhattan trial has several thorny decisions before him. Every one will reverberate across the political landscape and, depending on the timing, could greatly affect the election in November.

THE SENTENCING HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 11

Even scheduling Trump's sentencing hearing was politically fraught, given this year's election calendar. Merchan went for July 11-meaning Trump will be back in the courtroom days before the Republican National Convention kicks off on July 15 in Milwaukee.

In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Trump likely will meet with a probation officer who'll then prepare a written report with options for sentences. The probation report will be sent to the defense attorneys, the prosecution, and the judge. Trump's legal team will have a chance to suggest sentencing terms and supply letters of support. But the actual sentence is up to Merchan. He could decide to awared Trump time served-essentially, that the trial was punishment enough and that there was no need for further penalties. He could give Trump a "conditional discharge" with a requirement like community service. Or he could put Trump on probation with terms that he has to abide by in order to avoid jail time. Or Merchan could decide to send Trump to prison.