# 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:** 68
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:10pm 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-30-2024/980953/1341 "2024-04-15T19:10:56Z")
I’ll get more serious when the action resumes. Meanwhile, I’d guess the only view Judge Merchan will have of DJT is this one: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Donald_Trump_mug_shot.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Donald_Trump_mug_shot.jpg) ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 7:11pm 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-30-2024/980953/1342 "2024-04-15T19:11:36Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > hope he directly threatens the judge and/or his family. In open court That’s what is called _direct_ criminal contempt, because it is done in the court’s presence (as opposed to _indirect_ criminal contempt, which is done outside of court). The judge has already set a hearing on Trump’s indirect contempt, for April 24th. The judge wouldn’t be required to give advance notice for direct criminal contempt (and I once saw a judge give a guy 5 months and 29 days of jail - one day short of the maximum sentence he could impose - for saying “fuck you” to his bailiff). Does donald want to fuck around? Because he **will** find out. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:12pm 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-30-2024/980953/1343 "2024-04-15T19:12:56Z")
Like he has so many times before. Oh, wait… ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 7:17pm 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-30-2024/980953/1344 "2024-04-15T19:17:16Z")
50 have been excused so far, 18 will start the questioning. The ones who have been excused, are due to not being able to be fair or impartial. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:21pm 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-30-2024/980953/1345 "2024-04-15T19:21:30Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I have never heard the term before, is it a US thing, or does it exist in other jurisdictions (UK, perhaps? Or even wider?)? I believe it is a U.S. thing. We don’t have them in Canada. Would be a breach of the constitutional requirement of a public trial. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:23pm 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-30-2024/980953/1346 "2024-04-15T19:23:20Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Maggie Haberman reporting (on CNN) that DJT keeps nodding off in Court. Maybe his handlers have pumped tranks into him so he’ll behave? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:28pm 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-30-2024/980953/1347 "2024-04-15T19:28:58Z")
If only they’d brought proper eyewear: ![](https://media1.tenor.com/m/OtW8G4q2Vs8AAAAC/homer-court.gif "Homer Court GIF - Homer Court Asleep - Discover & Share GIFs") ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:29pm 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-30-2024/980953/1348 "2024-04-15T19:29:39Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > > > Maggie Haberman reporting (on CNN) that DJT keeps nodding off in Court. > > Maybe his handlers have pumped tranks into him so he’ll behave? Would snoring loudly be considered contempt? ---
**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 15, 2024, 7:31pm 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-30-2024/980953/1349 "2024-04-15T19:31:40Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > > > I have never heard the term before, is it a US thing, or does it exist in other jurisdictions (UK, perhaps? Or even wider?)? > > I believe it is a U.S. thing. We don’t have them in Canada. Would be a breach of the constitutional requirement of a public trial. The side bar is either transcribed and part of the public record, or the judge summarizes what happened in open court during the next time the jury is excused. I’m not disputing what you say about Canada, but we also have requirements for public trials and side bars are not considered any violation of that rule. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:34pm 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-30-2024/980953/1350 "2024-04-15T19:34:07Z")
I mean … if Trump has diagnosed Sleep Apnea, snoring could constitute Obstruction. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 7:41pm 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-30-2024/980953/1351 "2024-04-15T19:41:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > side bars are not considered any violation of that rule. In fact, they’re usually arguments about what evidence can/can’t be admitted and placed before the jury. Taking the arguments and ruling at sidebar out of the jurors’ hearing is meant to keep them from hearing things that they shouldn’t be considering during deliberations. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:01pm 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-30-2024/980953/1352 "2024-04-15T20:01:21Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I sat through voir dire three times in New York City civil court (managed to avoid get selected twice) and it was always just the two lawyers, I never saw the judge during that process. I think that’s the norm. Maybe it’s the norm in NYC, but I’ve been through voir dire at least ten times over the years here in SoCal, and the judge was _always_ in the courtroom during the process. So, maybe the norm varies? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:03pm 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-30-2024/980953/1353 "2024-04-15T20:03:16Z")
Afternoon break. Trump stops and glares at Maggie Haberman for several seconds on his way out. Must not like that she reported him nodding off. ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 8:05pm 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-30-2024/980953/1354 "2024-04-15T20:05:41Z")
Usually the sidebars are after an objection. Sometimes there is a staticy noise, it resembles a sports huddle, judge, steno, and lawyers for both sides. They huddle up and discuss the objection, come to a decision, and go back to their positions, ruling is issued. Should the jury want a copy of the transcripts, they will only see the parts they heard, not the transcripts of the sidebar. ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 8:07pm 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-30-2024/980953/1355 "2024-04-15T20:07:13Z")
I hope the court artist got it. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:07pm 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-30-2024/980953/1356 "2024-04-15T20:07:30Z")
Usually the jury doesn’t get the transcripts, even if one of the parties is paying for daily copy. The judge will instruct the jury that they have to rely on their memory of the testimony, plus any notes they took, if they’re allowed to do that – some courts allow it, some don’t. ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 8:08pm 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-30-2024/980953/1357 "2024-04-15T20:08:28Z")
One trial I was in the steno read out the relevant bit. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:09pm 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-30-2024/980953/1358 "2024-04-15T20:09:00Z")
That was during the course of the trial, not during deliberations, though, right? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:09pm 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-30-2024/980953/1359 "2024-04-15T20:09:08Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Judge stated Trump has right to be present for the trial but will not hesitate to put him in jail if he cannot behave himself during the trial. It would be cool if that happens, and it well may. But just for clarity, I believe that Trump’s presence is not just a right but a requirement – he **has** to be there throughout the trial, no? ---
**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:** [April 15, 2024, 8:10pm 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-30-2024/980953/1360 "2024-04-15T20:10:54Z")
During deliberations, regarding the direction a witness ran. [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=67) [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=69)