NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump has been cleared of any jail time, fines, or community service after a judge concluded his hush money case in New York on Friday. The court issued an unconditional discharge, meaning no penalties will be enforced against him.

Nonetheless, if the felony conviction for falsifying business records is not overturned in the future, Trump will have felonies on his criminal record, which could affect certain rights.

Let’s explore the implications for Trump, the potential consequences, and what remains unchanged:

Is he still eligible to vote?

Trump, a registered voter in Florida, retains his voting rights in that state.

While Florida often restricts voting rights for those with felony convictions, these rights are automatically restored after completing their sentences. However, individuals convicted of serious crimes like murder or sexual offenses lose their voting rights permanently unless restored via a clemency board.

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For felons from other states, Florida only disqualifies them from voting if they lost their rights in their home state. In New York, voting rights are reinstated upon release from incarceration.

Is gun ownership still an option for him?

No, Trump cannot legally own a firearm. Federal regulations prohibit anyone with a felony conviction from possessing guns.

Must he provide a DNA sample?

Yes, under New York law, any individual convicted of a felony is required to submit a DNA sample for the state’s crime database.

Typically, DNA samples are collected after sentencing when a defendant reports to probation or is incarcerated. Authorities may also obtain samples through court or police procedures.

The collection method is simple and non-invasive, involving just a cheek swab. The gathered genetic material is analyzed by state police to create a profile added to the databank.

This databank, which houses over 720,000 offender profiles, works in conjunction with the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, enabling automated searches to link DNA from crime scenes to known offenders.

Can Trump still run for office with a felony conviction?

There are no federal laws preventing someone with a felony conviction from running for president. However, state laws may vary regarding eligibility for state and local offices; some might require a pardon or expungement, whereas federal office candidates face no such restrictions.

Is international travel still an option for him?

Yes, Trump is free to travel abroad. As a president, he holds a diplomatic passport for official matters, along with a standard tourist passport. Generally, individuals under incarceration or probation have travel restrictions, but this does not apply to Trump.

However, certain nations, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, may impose entry restrictions on individuals with felony convictions.

Will this affect his business prospects?

Trump’s felony conviction might complicate his ability to obtain liquor licenses, though it doesn’t mean that his hotels and golf courses will stop serving alcohol.

For example, New Jersey law disallows anyone convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude from holding a liquor license, which could affect Trump’s three golf courses in that state.

Despite this, Trump’s organization has clarified that his properties are managed through corporate entities, and he does not serve as an officer or director of any company holding liquor licenses.

Additionally, his conviction may bar him from re-entering the casino industry, as obtaining gaming licenses is generally off-limits for those with criminal records. Notably, Trump previously owned three casinos in Atlantic City but has since divested from that sector.

Is a pardon an option for him?

Only the governor of New York can grant a pardon for this specific conviction. Since the case was handled in state court, it pertains to violations of state law, making presidential pardons irrelevant.

It seems improbable that Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, would consider granting a pardon. When approached about the possibility, she refrained from providing a clear response but emphasized that the pardon process involves various factors, including a demonstration of remorse.

Trump has consistently maintained that he acted lawfully and has referred to the allegations against him as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats.

“No one will be treated any better, or any worse, by me when I make those life-altering decisions regarding petitions that come in throughout the year,” Hochul stated. “So, no one receives special favors, and no one is treated unfavorably.”