INTO THE BACK OF THE YARD AND HOW AREA RESIDENTS FEEL ABOUT IT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> NOW, TO THE TOP STORY TONIGHT.

FORMER PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP IS ALSO SEEKING NOMINATION FOR 2024 AND HAS BEEN INDICTED.

THE INDICTMENT IS STILL SEALED.

WE TURN TO OUR LEGAL COMMENTATOR.

HE IS A LAWYER CURRENTLY.

REMIND US OF THE LEGAL ISSUES THIS CASE IS HINGING ON.

>> THIS IS A CASE THAT HINGES ON FALSE STATEMENTS MADE IN BUSINESS RECORDS OF THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION.

IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IF YOU MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS IN YOUR BUSINESS RECORDS WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD , THAT IS A MISDEMEANOR.

IF YOU DO THAT IN CONNECTION WITH ANOTHER CRIME FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF ANOTHER CRIME THAT IS A FELONY.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS IN THE INDICTMENT.

FOR SURE , THE REPORTS ARE THAT IT RELATES TO AN ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE OFFENSE INVOLVING HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS THAT WERE MADE TO STORMY DOWN LANES STORMY DANIELS .

>> LET'S SAY THAT IS THE CASE THAT IT IS BUMPED UP TO A FELONY IN RELATION TO CAMPAIGN-FINANCE VIOLATIONS, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR THE MANHATTAN DA TO ARGUE THAT?

>> I THINK IT IS VERY SERIOUS.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR THE PROSECUTION.

THEY WILL HAVE TO RELY ON WITNESSES WHO ARE QUESTIONABLE, LIKE MICHAEL COLLINS WHO IS CONVICTED OF LYING TO CONGRESS AND OF COMMITTING FRAUD .

HE IS VERY CRITICAL OF DONALD TRUMP .

I THINK THERE ARE JURORS WHO WOULD SAY HE IS BIASED .

SEPARATE FROM THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL CHALLENGES HERE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE EVIDENCE IS AN ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD WE WANT TO SEND FALSE STATEMENTS TO GET YOUR MONEY.

WE WONDER WHAT THIS CHARACTERIZES A FINANCE CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE AND IF YOU ARE PAYING SOMEONE TO KEEP SILENT .

THERE WAS A FORMER CASE AGAINST JOHN EDWARDS THAT WAS RESULTING IN AN ACQUITTAL OF SIMILAR FACTS.

IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT HURDLE .

>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY CASE.

ALTHOUGH, WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THERE.

WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL CHARGES?

HOW DO YOU THINK EXECUTORS IN GEORGIA AND JACK SMITH, THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AND THE MAR-A-LAGO'S DOCUMENTS CASE AND THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION CASE INDICTMENTS PLAY INTO WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

YOU MIGHT SAY IT IS NOTHING AT ALL , AND THEY WILL PUSH AHEAD REGARDLESS.

I THINK IT DOES MAKE THINGS A LITTLE COMPLICATED BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE THERE MIGHT BE AN INDICTMENT AND THEY WILL BE A TRIAL THAT WILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT.

ULTIMATELY , THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE ARGUMENTS MADE OF CHARGES IN ANOTHER STATE .

I WILL SAY THAT I DO THINK THIS REALLY UPS THE CHALLENGE FOR THE COMPANY.

I JUST WENT TO ALL THE QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS AND HURDLES THAT THEY FACE AND EVEN IF THEY LOSE, DONALD TRUMP IS FACING MORE ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.

I WILL TELL YOU IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO DEFEND THE CLIENT IS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS.

>> CERTAINLY A LOT OF LEGAL PROBLEMS.

IN NEW YORK STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW BILL FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENSES.

BUT , WOULD TRUMP'S INCENDIARY RHETORIC AROUND THE JANUARY 6 JUDGES AFFECT THE ARRAIGNMENT AT ALL?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK HE WILL GET BAIL.

THE JUDGE AND THE PROSECUTOR ARE NOT GOING TO LOOK KINDLY ON HIM.

>> MOST LIKELY, LAWYERS ARE