University of Michigan legal and political experts are available to discuss former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York.

Ken Kollman, professor of political science, studies political parties and elections.

“This is only the first of what will likely be a series of legal outcomes for Trump between now and November,” he said. “How each court case, verdict, judicial ruling or potential sentence will affect his standing with the electorate is anyone’s guess. How much it will hurt him with swing voters in crucial swing states is a big unknown.”

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Leah Litman, professor of law, teaches and writes on constitutional law, federal courts and federal post-conviction review.

“A verdict in the New York case is a big deal because this is likely the only criminal case that will proceed to verdict before the election. So voters across the country will be considering the New York jury’s determination,” she said.

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Barbara McQuade, professor from practice of law and former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, specializes in criminal law, criminal procedure, national security, data privacy and civil rights.

“Despite all of the politics swirling around this case, I think most jurors take their jobs very seriously. I expect these jurors to do their best to decide the case based on the facts and the law and render a verdict to the best of their ability,” she said. “The evidence presented is certainly sufficient for any rational jury to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but, if the jury should acquit, I don’t think this verdict in any way affects the other cases against Donald Trump. Each case stands on its own merits.”

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Michael Traugott, professor emeritus of communication studies and political science, studies the mass media and its impact on American politics. He also has interest in the use of surveys and polls and the way news organizations employ them to cover campaigns and elections.

“We look like we are in for a very close election, and a guilty verdict could make a difference in the fall by making a small dent in Donald Trump’s support,” he said. “With the first presidential debate only a month away, the trial and its verdict will certainly be a topic for discussion there.”

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