NEW YORK – Following Donald Trump’s hush money conviction in New York, he has been granted an unconditional discharge by a judge, which effectively ends the case without imposing jail time, fines, or community service. However, this conviction for falsifying business records still categorizes him as a felon, which could influence certain rights, unless the ruling is overturned in the future.
One of the questions arising from this conviction is whether Trump will retain his voting rights. As a registered voter in Florida, he maintains the ability to vote there. Florida law does prohibit individuals with felony convictions from voting, but those rights are automatically restored after serving their sentence. Notably, individuals convicted of severe offenses like murder or sex crimes can lose their voting rights indefinitely unless they receive a pardon from a clemency board. Since Trump was convicted in New York, his voting eligibility in Florida remains intact unless New York had revoked his rights during incarceration, which would not affect him post-release.
Regarding gun ownership, Trump’s felony conviction comes with implications. Under federal law, individuals with felony convictions cannot possess firearms, which means that Trump is unable to legally own a gun.
In terms of privacy and law enforcement, every felony convict in New York, including Trump, is legally required to submit a DNA sample for the state’s crime database. Typically collected after sentencing, the process is straightforward, involving a cheek swab that provides genetic material to create an offender profile. This database aids in solving crimes by comparing collected DNA from crime scenes with existing profiles, harboring over 720,000 entries and interlinked with the FBI’s system.
The prospect of Trump holding future office despite his felony conviction raises further discussion. Federal law does not prohibit individuals with criminal records from becoming president or running for federal office. However, state laws can impose restrictions for state or local positions; some may necessitate a pardon or expungement to run for such positions.
When it comes to international travel, Trump is in a favorable situation. With a diplomatic passport from his presidential role, he can engage in official business abroad, and he can secure a regular passport as well. Generally, individuals serving sentences may face restrictions on their passports. However, Trump’s case differs, and while some countries may deny entry to felons, he has the means to travel.
In the business realm, Trump’s felony record could complicate certain opportunities, such as obtaining liquor licenses, especially in New Jersey, where he owns golf courses. The law there prevents anyone convicted of offenses concerning moral integrity from holding such licenses, but since his businesses are corporate entities and he is not directly managing them, he still can operate establishments that serve alcohol. Trump’s potential return to the casino industry would be hampered by the usual unavailability of gaming licenses for individuals with felony convictions, though he has previously managed casinos in Atlantic City.
Lastly, the possibility of Trump receiving a pardon lies solely with the governor of New York, as the conviction concerns a state law violation. Current indications suggest that Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, is unlikely to consider a pardon for Trump, particularly after her comments that hinted any consideration would necessitate authentic expressions of remorse, which Trump has not demonstrated, labeling the prosecution as a politically motivated attack.
In summary, while Trump’s conviction brings some limitations, it does not entirely hinder his civic opportunities, and many facets of his political, social, and business life remain intact.
