What would happen if Trump was found guilty prior to the election?

[Osakagreg]

What would happen if Trump was found guilty prior to the election? There are so many lawsuits around that man. And he is being investigated for a number of reasons. What if it was discovered that he has indeed committed a serious crime and was found guilty by the court of law? This is all hypothetical, but I'm just curious. Would Pence take his place as the presidential candidate, or would trump have to drop out of the election completely? Or would the election continue, and then Trump would be impeached and Pence would take over?

[VMA131Marine]

1. He's not currently under any criminal indictment

so he's not going to be convicted before the swearing in ceremony. He might lose one of the Trump U suits, but even that is unlikely to be concluded. If he got into office, he would have to be impeached if there were evidence of criminal activity; no way the Republican-controlled house will do that.

[Cakes488]

4. His foundation reeks

[VMA131Marine]

9. Maybe so....

but he's not going to be tried and convicted before January.

[PJMcK]

11. And definitely not before Nov. 8th (n/t)

[Cakes488]

13. True, but if he somehow got elected we can at least look forward to that

[Old and In the Way]

8. Actually, I think there is a good chance that House Republicans would impeach DT, if

He is criminally indicted. Pence is one of their own. He is god fearing midwest Con that was in the leadership in the House. I could see them jetissoning that East Coast con...it would play well with the base that aren't fans of Trump now.

[VMA131Marine]

10. True...

that may have been the plan all along.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. The criminal trial process takes so long that it can't happen by election day.

There would have to be an investigation, a complaint or indictment, more investigation, discovery, jury selection and a trial. This process typically takes a couple of years. If a candidate is unavailable for some other reason (incapacitation, death, alien abduction, etc.) the replacement candidate wouldn't necessarily be the running mate. As far as I know the party would have to decide and officially select someone. However, it's too late to get another candidate on the ballot in most states.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. He'll be convicted after losing and blame Hillary

because, in his words, "why not?"

[jberryhill]

5. There is no criminal process that could run its course in that time

[kimbutgar]

6. Nothing, he is untouchable

That said, if they tried to arrest him for tax evasion they'd accuse the Obama administration of a partisan attack.

The good thing is if he loses he might be spending some time behind bars for tax fraud and lying about his foundation and bribes.

[PJMcK]

12. Your second sentence

Donald Trump is going to be caught as Al Capone was nailed. He'll be busted for tax violations.

[Madam45for2923]

7. The rape case and the Fake University cases are "starting" in late November.

After the election, right!?