# Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953 "2023-03-09T22:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/881 "2023-04-27T16:33:16Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Of course, he won’t. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is anything the DA can do about it. He doesn’t have any obligation to yet. But the D.A. is asking the Court for an order, so there is _something_ they can do about it. I don’t know NY criminal practice, but I think this is an unusual request and unlikely to be granted. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/882 "2023-04-27T16:36:58Z")
Unless of course this is a “don’t throw me into that briar patch!” move. Can’t whine that the jury is tainted if you’re the one who deliberately tainted it. And any evidence made public presumably becomes fair game for any other cases that might pertain. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/883 "2023-04-27T19:05:46Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > And any evidence made public presumably becomes fair game for any other cases that might pertain. I’m reading the concern that he’ll dox people, not that he might make public something sensitive to the merits of the case. His usual evil strategy. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/884 "2023-05-09T20:16:12Z")
[Trump seeks to move New York criminal case to federal court | PBS NewsHour](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/donald-trump-seeks-to-move-new-york-criminal-case-to-federal-court) [Judge sets hearing date on Trump’s motion to move criminal case (msn.com)](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-sets-hearing-date-on-trumps-motion-to-move-criminal-case/ar-AA1aXH3s) some things happening behind the scenes in the manhattan case. wonder if part of trying to get it to federal is hoping for a pardon, should things not go in trump’s favour. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/885 "2023-05-09T20:23:13Z")
That could be one of the considerations if that gambit would work but it’s probably because he thinks that they NY court is more liberal and inclined against him. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/886 "2023-05-09T20:33:55Z")
re: moving to Federal Court. Trump would still be facing the same _State_ charges. So he can’t get a Federal pardon (he can technically still always ask the NY Gov to pardon him). From the PBS link above: > The Manhattan district attorney’s office would still prosecute him and state law would still apply, but with the oversight of a federal judge, said University of Iowa law professor Derek Muller. > > “It’s essentially just a change in courthouses,” Muller said. So he’d get the same case tried in the physical location of a federal court house, overseen by federal judge (applying State law to State charges), and a jury from a bigger pool (bigger than just Manhattan). All the rest stays the same. Just seems like something to file just because, but extremely unlikely to win. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/887 "2023-05-09T20:59:58Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > re: moving to Federal Court. Trump would still be facing the same _State_ charges. So he can’t get a Federal pardon (he can technically still always ask the NY Gov to pardon him). You know this, but do Trump and his lawyers? I’d like to think his lawyers know it, but I honestly can’t say with certainty that they do. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/888 "2023-05-09T21:01:12Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Just seems like something to file just because, but extremely unlikely to win. Him being denied the filing adds another log onto his fire of all the ways the system is rigged against him. His entire goal is to be able to say things like: > They denied every reasonable request my finest of lawyers made. My every attempt to get a fair hearing in a fair court was rebuffed and their kangaroo court of course has now found against me. The injustice never ends! ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/889 "2023-05-09T23:00:39Z")
Thinking objectively here. Getting a bigger jury pool outside Manhattan would be a little better for Trump. If he has a card to play, no matter how small the odds, he should play it. This is why rich people have better odds of getting off, they can afford to pay their lawyers to play all the cards available to them. More cards played = better odds = increased chances of getting off. Just last month, Trump recently added lawyer Todd Blanche. He’s a legit lawyer (unlike the rest). He worked a long time as a federal US attorney for the SDNY; and has a legit private practice after that. I can’t speak to his character or who he chooses to represent (because I don’t know), but even if he’s a scumbag, he’s not a total hack as a lawyer. This should tell you that Trump is taking this particular case seriously. Because it is serious. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/890 "2023-05-10T00:40:21Z")
Either that or he’s trying to hire somebody who has an inside track to apply the corruption at the correct high leverage spot to deliver the outcome he wants. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/891 "2023-05-23T01:32:46Z")
Tomorrow trump will appear by video in court to be sure he understands the restrictions that have been ruled on by the judge. > **[Trump to get schooled on rules after district attorney worries he'll use...](https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/ap-top-news/2023/05/11/trump-to-get-schooled-on-rules-after-district-attorney-worries-hell-use-evidence-to-slam-witnesses)** > > Donald Trump was ordered to appear by video at a May 23 hearing in his Manhattan criminal case after a judge this week set rules barring him from using evidence in the case to attack witnesses This should be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/892 "2023-05-23T02:05:38Z")
My comments on the link in the last post: As I expected, and, given the alternative of interfering with democracy, what should be done: > [@](#): > > “I’m bending over backwards and straining to make sure that he is given every opportunity possible to advance his candidacy and to be able to speak in furtherance of his candidacy,” Merchan said. “The last thing I want to do is infringe on his or anybody else’s First Amendment rights.” This also struck me: > [@](#): > > Merchan, still in charge while that drama plays out, agreed to instruct Trump on the rules by video, rather than in person, after a prosecutor reminded him last week that bringing Trump to court would present mammoth security and logistical challenges. > > Trump’s April 4 arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, attracted a crush of media and protesters, involved multiple street closures, extra security screenings and shut down non-Trump court business for an afternoon. Well, that doesn’t sound right. Did they shut down court when trying famous old-time mafia chiefs? There should be a balancing of Trump’s security with the rights of other defendants to a speedy trial. > [@](#): > > Absent a move to federal court, Merchan expects the case to go to trial next February or March, meaning Trump could be stuck in court during next year’s primaries. Well, that also doesn’t sound right. It goes against giving him “every opportunity possible to advance his candidacy.” And it would apparently stop other court business, which is also unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/893 "2023-05-23T06:02:45Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > There should be a balancing of Trump’s security with the rights of other defendants to a speedy trial. Donald Trump isn’t the only one endangered when he puts on a public spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/894 "2023-05-23T20:49:10Z")
reporting from msnbc, the judge was very firm with all involved. he did not go through line by line but made it clear that trump was bound by the rules and there will be consequences. trial date is march 25th 2024 that is a firm date. [Trump to appear in N.Y. criminal case for first time since arraignment (nbcnews.com)](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-appear-ny-criminal-case-first-time-arraignment-rcna85589) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/895 "2023-05-23T23:34:11Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > trial date is march 25th 2024 that is a firm date. This is so deep in the primary season that if an early strong front-runner like Trump doesn’t have it wrapped up by then, he probably isn’t getting the nomination regardless. So I don’t have a big problem with the delay on the basis of interfering with the election. But I still do not like waiting for months. If this was a bailable offense (Trump’s isn’t), the presumed innocent who can’t afford bail would spend months, in jail, being punished for something they may not have done. I’m not a lawyer, but why do they have to wait like this: [The defense will file any motions — including a motion to dismiss the case — by Aug. 29, with prosecutors responding by Oct. 10. The judge will rule on the motions on Jan. 4.](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/nyregion/trump-trial-date.html) Would it really make our legal system worse if the defense had 24 hours to file its inevitable motion to dismiss, instead of three months? And why need it take the judge almost three months to give the inevitable refusal to dismiss? In terms of plausible sentence length, this is not a big trial. If every such trial went through this lengthy pre-trial process, there would be insufficient resources to give all defendants a trial, leading to something I’m against – plea bargaining. I’m mostly against it because it pressures the innocent to give up their right to a trial, but see: [the long note on page 617](https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1843&context=mulr). ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/896 "2023-05-23T23:47:07Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Would it really make our legal system worse if the defense had 24 hours to file its inevitable motion to dismiss, instead of three months? And why need it take the judge almost three months to give the inevitable refusal to dismiss? People have lots of other cases they are working on at the same time. And the documents that will be produced are expected to be thoroughly researched and reviewed. These two factors combine to make for a Justice system that moves very slowly and deliberately. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/897 "2023-05-24T00:22:52Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > People have lots of other cases they are working on at the same time. If the lawyer doesn’t have time available consistent with a true speedy trial for DJT, they shouldn’t have taken the case. I’ve read that law schools are graduating lots of lawyers who can’t find a job as an attorney, so this principle would not deny Trump a defense. > [@Moriarty](#): > > And the documents that will be produced are expected to be thoroughly researched . . . Sounds like a two-tiered system in which someone like Trump is going to get an unreasonably long and thorough pre-trial process, while the average defendant is pushed to take a low-legal-cost plea bargain. I suppose that the judge wants a long time to write bullet-proof justifications for the motions he will dismiss, given that it may all eventually go up to a GOP Supreme Court. But I don’t think that equal justice is consistent with giving Trump’s defense and prosecution and judge extra time compared with the average case. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/898 "2023-05-24T00:29:24Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > People have lots of other cases they are working on at the same time. Ah, but if the justice system moved faster, then all of those other cases would have been concluded earlier, and the participants could focus exclusively on their current case. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/899 "2023-05-24T00:31:43Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > If the lawyer doesn’t have time available consistent with a true speedy trial for DJT, they shouldn’t have taken the case. It’s not usually to the defendant’s benefit to insist on a speedy trial. The issue isn’t the work load, per se, but just the practical realities of needing to coordinate schedules. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Sounds like a two-tiered system in which someone like Trump is going to get an unreasonably long and thorough pre-trial process, while the average defendant is pushed to take a low-legal-cost plea bargain. What leads you to believe that this is an unusually long time? Most cases, if they go to trial, are doing so about a year after the arrest was made. And if a plea deal is reached, they can usually come in before that date by setting a change of plea hearing. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/900 "2023-05-24T00:48:11Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > What leads you to believe that this is an unusually long time? Most cases, if the go to trial, are doing so about a year after the arrest was made. It’s unusually long because few cases go to trial. Trump can afford trial, and lots of motions before it, and so, apparently, can the prosecution and judge. Just as the NYPD can afford to close roads when Donald comes to court. But just because the government of the city of New York has the resources to give Trump this super-duper treatment doesn’t mean they should. I said before that the trial date of 3/25/24 won’t overly interfere with the primary season, but it will interfere some. Next month would have been a better date for democracy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=46)