Trump 'could get a taste of his own medicine' if he appeals felony sentencing

Judge Juan Merchan has set the sentencing date for Donald Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts for July 11 and, should the former president decide to appeal the Manhattan jurist's ruling, it could set in motion a process that will blow up in his face.

While questions are being raised over whether Merchan will send the former president to jail, put him under house arrest or come up with a creative punishment, it is expected that Trump's legal team won't accept anything short of the entire case being thrown out to satisfy their client.

According to the Daily Beast's Jose Pagliery, based on how the appeals process works in New York, any ruling on a filing made by Trump's lawyers would likely be delayed with a ruling not expected until just before the election.

As Pagliery noted, delaying the legal process is a well-known Trump tactic, meaning the former president is poised to get a "taste of his own medicine" that could disrupt his election plans.

"The irony is that Trump—who has always employed delay tactics to slow down the many legal actions against him, for sexually abusing a journalist, defrauding banks, faking business records, and so much more, " Merchan wrote before adding, "Merchan set sentencing for July 11, just three days past the First Judicial Department deadline to receive the basic appeal paperwork. The appellate division’s calendar shows that the soonest it can schedule oral arguments is Oct. 1, giving those judges only a few weeks to consider the case before voters go to the polls."

According to two former New York judges, there is little wiggle room for the former president who could see a devastating affirmation of his conviction so close to the election.

“There’s no avenue to get to the appellate court until there’s a judgment of conviction. And the judgment of conviction is entered when he’s sentenced,” offered former Judge Jill Konviser.

“In general, appellate work can move very slowly and deliberately. Nobody is generally in a rush to decide matters unless it’s something like a voting matter,” stated former Judge Alan David Marrus, with Pagliery adding, "Marrus noted that appellate courts sometimes expedite cases when considering election laws, like issues that relate to voter access, districting, or candidate qualifications. But while the conclusion to Trump’s case could certainly affect how some people vote, it’s not strictly an election matter."

Marrus also added that he doesn't see Trump getting jail time, meaning there would be no rush for the appeals court to expedite his case.

“In a criminal case, the defendants get a stay of judgment if the court thinks there’s a real issue. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the Trump case. I’m assuming he’s not going to be in jail while this appeal is being heard. So, what’s the urgency to decide this case? You tell me. Why would they rush to decide this case?” he explained to the Beast's Pagliery.

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