Former President Trump is scheduled to have a probation interview on Monday, a key step ahead of his July 11 sentencing.
A 12-person jury in New York last month found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a scheme to conceal information that could harm the American people ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has maintained his innocence and has vowed to appeal the verdict.
Shortly after the sentence was handed down in court, Judge Juan Merchan confirmed that Trump would be interviewed for probation.
“I will order a probation report,” Marchant said. “Blanche, the clerk of court will give you instructions on how to schedule your interview and receive your probation report.”
The interview will be conducted via Zoom
Monday’s interview will be conducted by computer video conference from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, according to multiple sources who spoke to The Hill and The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plans.
Probation interviews are often conducted by a probation officer, social worker or department psychologist, after which a report is prepared that the judge uses to determine an appropriate sentence for the defendant.
The report may include details from interviews with the defendant’s family, friends, and victims of the crime. The interviews may include reasons why the defendant deserves a lighter sentence.
As part of the report, New York probation officials will collect information about Trump’s criminal history (he has no criminal convictions), employment history and financial situation. State law also requires that the report also include findings about the defendant’s “physical and mental condition,” if available.
Trump’s lawyers will be present
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, is scheduled to be present at Monday’s interview. Marchand said in a letter last Friday that he would allow Blanche to meet. Most people don’t have their lawyers present when they meet with a probation judge, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) did not oppose Blanche’s request for a meeting.
Legal experts have offered conflicting views on what they expect to happen when the case is decided next month.
While some have noted that most first-time offenders convicted of Trump’s crimes would not receive prison time, and Trump’s legal team has said it plans to ask the judge not to jail the former president, other experts have also said that Trump’s lack of remorse and the 10 speech violations he has racked up over the course of his trial could work against him.
Trump campaign spokesman responds
Asked to comment on the probation interviews, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang called the case a “witch hunt.”
“President Trump and his legal team are already taking the necessary steps to challenge and thwart the Manhattan District Attorney’s lawless lawsuit. The American people will not be fooled by Biden’s orchestrated hoax and will hold Crooked Joe and his cohorts accountable this fall,” Chang said in a statement.
