Roger Stavis, a seasoned legal expert, cautions that former President Donald Trump faces an uphill battle in appealing his recent felony conviction in New York.
Despite Trump’s vocal denial and claims of being a target of political vendetta, a Manhattan jury found him guilty on May 30 of 34 counts related to falsifying business records. As he gears up for a potential presidential run, the path to exoneration seems murky.
Stavis, well-versed in New York’s legal landscape and a former prosecutor, emphasized the steep challenge awaiting Trump in the appeals process. Casting doubt on the possibility of a successful appeal, he highlighted the formidable hurdles that lie ahead.
In essence, Stavis outlined Trump’s slim chances of overturning his conviction, noting that dismantling Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s legal framework would be crucial for any semblance of victory. Bragg’s strategy hinges on Trump’s alleged breach of election laws tied to payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.
Elaborating on the potential legal maneuvers, Stavis pointed out that a failure in the first round of appeals could prompt Trump’s legal team to explore unconventional avenues, even prodding the state’s highest court for a second consideration based on novel legal concepts.
Looking further ahead, Stavis opined that the U.S. Supreme Court’s involvement in Trump’s case is improbable due to the absence of compelling federal implications. He reinforced that Trump faces a formidable journey should he exhaust all options at the state level.
With Trump’s sentencing scheduled for July 11, the legal saga intertwines with the political arena, coinciding with pivotal events like the debates with Joe Biden and the Republican National Convention. Trump’s stance on invoking Supreme Court intervention hints at a deep-seated belief in a lifeline from the highest judicial echelon.