8 MAG 2025 · Former President Donald Trump is currently embroiled in several high-profile court cases, both criminal and civil, that have significant legal and political implications.
### New York Criminal Case
One of the most notable cases is the criminal trial in New York, where Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on March 30, 2023, on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The trial began on April 15, 2024, and on May 30, 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts. Despite the guilty verdict, on January 10, 2025, Justice Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge, which means he will not serve any time or be placed on probation[4].
### Southern District of Florida Case
In the Southern District of Florida, Trump and his aides Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira were indicted on June 8, 2023, on multiple charges including willfully retaining national defense information, obstruction of justice, interfering with a federal investigation, and making false statements. However, on July 15, 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the federal indictment against Trump, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed and funded. The Justice Department subsequently appealed this decision to the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals but later dismissed the appeal against Trump on November 29, 2024, and against Nauta and De Oliveira on January 29, 2025[4].
### New York Civil Fraud Case
In addition to the criminal cases, Trump is also facing a civil fraud case in New York. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump and his family engaged in widespread fraud related to their business dealings. Following a summary judgment and final decision by Justice Arthur Engoron in September 2023 and February 2024, respectively, the defendants have filed appeals. The Appellate Division, First Department, has consolidated these appeals, which are currently proceeding with a single record and set of briefs[2].
### Other Legal Challenges
Trump is also involved in other legal battles, including an attempt to remove the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s state prosecution to federal court. On August 29, 2024, Trump filed a notice of removal, but it was rejected due to procedural deficiencies. He later appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, with his opening brief due on October 14, 2024[2].
Moreover, Mark Meadows, a former Trump aide, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari after the 11th Circuit dismissed his bid to move his state criminal case in Georgia to federal court[2].
These ongoing legal challenges highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of the legal issues surrounding Donald Trump, with various cases at different stages of litigation and appeal. As these cases progress, they are likely to continue attracting significant public and media attention.