It is 34 counts, but still only a single crime. It is more analgous to robbing a single house once, but taking 34 items. Given how the bussiness records law are written, each false record is a seperate crime, but they were all done as part of the same scheme.
This is pretty common in criminal law. It is suprisingly difficult to commit only 1 crime.
Will be very interesting to see what the sentencing end up being, Trump really doesn't seem to have done himself any favours there by constantly attacking the judge, jury and judges family.
I would guess the logic behind going harder on repeat offenders is that they've already been punished once and didn't stop breaking the law, so we should punish them harder this time. Not sure that's super effective reasoning, but w/e.
and whether you like it or appreciate it or not, he's got a history of public service
Would that be the charity that's a front for embezzling charitable donations, or the presidency that he used to enrich himself by vacationing in his own properties, requiring the federal government to pay exorbitant, arguable falsely inflated, prices with taxpayer money for housing the Secret Service in Trump properties and selling national secrets to hostile governments?
I know a first time offender who got 26 when their codefendents got 2 because they were the only one who insisted they hadn't done anything wrong. Everyone else was recognizant of their guilt at the end of the trial. This is not unique and Merchan should be aware.