Former President Donald Trump is set to undergo an interview with New York probation officials on Monday, as part of the procedures following his recent conviction in his criminal hush money case. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, was found guilty last month on 34 counts of falsifying business records connected to hush money paid to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

The payment was alleged to have been made to prevent Daniels from publicly discussing her alleged affair with Trump in 2006, which the former president has denied. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg claimed that the case was politically motivated. Trump's legal team plans to appeal the verdict.

Scheduled for July 11, Trump's sentencing remains uncertain in terms of what punishment Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the case, will impose. Each count is a class E felony, punishable by a fine and up to five years in prison under New York state law. Probation, house arrest, or jail time are all possible outcomes. If sentenced to jail, Trump's defense team may seek release on his own recognizance or request to post cash bail while appealing the verdict.

According to anonymous sources cited by the Associated Press, Trump will participate in a pre-sentencing interview via online video conference from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. His defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, will be present during the interview, which is not typical in New York, but was permitted by Judge Merchan.

The pre-sentencing interview conducted by probation officials will provide insights into the former president's background for the presiding judge and help determine the appropriate punishment. The interview usually involves reviewing the defendant's criminal record, speaking with the crime victim, the arresting officer, as well as the defendant's family and friends. The resulting pre-sentence report includes details of the crime, the defendant's personal history, criminal record, victim impact statement, and sentencing recommendations.

Former President Trump's lawyers will have the opportunity to present positive information about him during the pre-sentence report, such as participation in counseling programs, employment status, or caregiving responsibilities. Likewise, the crime victim will have a chance to describe their suffering and losses.

While the possibility of imprisoning a former president raises logistical questions regarding round-the-clock Secret Service protection, it also presents constitutional and legal complexities. Syracuse University law professor Gregory Germain expressed doubt about a prison sentence for a first-time nonviolent Class E felony, suggesting that probation would be more likely. He anticipated emergency motions to stay the sentence pending appeal in the event of imprisonment, considering the potential constitutional crisis and Trump's status as a leading presidential candidate.

As Trump prepares for his sentencing, this pre-sentencing interview offers an opportunity for him to make a positive impression and provide his perspective on why a lighter punishment should be considered, according to the New York State Unified Court System.