What are the major criminal cases against Donald Trump?

1. The headline claims condensed: what analysts say is at stake and why readers should care

The analyses converge on a compact set of claims: Trump faces four major criminal matters across state and federal venues; the Manhattan “hush‑money” prosecution produced a 34‑count conviction and subsequent legal maneuvering; two federal cases involving classified documents and 2020 election conduct were dismissed on procedural or constitutional grounds; and a Georgia RICO and election‑related indictment remains pending and contested. Analysts also report a cumulative tally of criminal counts that varies by source — commonly cited as around 88 counts across the four matters — and note civil liabilities and related defamation rulings as separate but relevant legal threads ^{[1] [2] [3]}. These claims frame the present legal landscape and underscore divergent outcomes across jurisdictions.

2. Manhattan hush‑money case: conviction, sentence, and appeal dynamics

Multiple analyses state the Manhattan case produced a conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records tied to alleged hush‑money payments; the conviction's practical effect was altered by an unconditional discharge reported thereafter, and Trump’s legal team filed a lengthy appeal framing the trial as politically motivated. Sources emphasize procedural follow‑ups: appeals, filings challenging the trial’s fairness, and the ongoing legal fight over whether the conviction should stand or be overturned. This prosecution is the only matter among the four with a completed guilty verdict in trial, and it has become a focal point for disputes over prosecutorial discretion, appellate standards, and claims of political targeting that shape both legal strategy and public narrative ^{[4] [2]}.

3. Federal classified‑documents prosecution: charges, rulings, and dismissal

Analysts identify a federal prosecution over retention and obstruction related to classified documents seized at Mar‑a‑Lago, originally charging roughly 37 to 40 counts including willful retention of national‑defense information and obstruction. One analysis reports that a federal judge dismissed this special‑counsel case on July 15, 2024, based on a ruling that the special‑counsel appointment was unconstitutional, effectively ending that prosecution at district‑court level. Commentary in the analyses places emphasis on procedural and constitutional arguments rather than contested facts about document handling, and notes the dismissal significantly altered the aggregate criminal‑count picture and public messaging about accountability ^{[1] [5]}.

4. Federal 2020 election‑certification case: charges, motions, and dismissal timeline

The materials describe a separate federal indictment tied to alleged conspiracy and obstruction surrounding the January 6, 2021 certification of the electoral vote. Reported counts include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and related offenses. Analysts state the Department of Justice moved to dismiss this case and that it was dismissed on November 25, 2024. Coverage of this dismissal highlights prosecutorial judgment calls and constitutional doctrines raised by defense counsel, while noting the dismissal reshaped the legal battlefield by removing a major federal criminal prosecution from active trial posture ^{[1] [6]}.

5. Georgia state prosecution: RICO, election interference, and an uncertain path

Analysis consistently flags a Georgia indictment alleging violations under the state RICO statute and other crimes tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Originally filed with numerous counts and multiple co‑defendants, the Georgia case has seen some counts struck and remains pending with pretrial challenges ongoing. Analysts emphasize the state‑level nature of the prosecution, the different legal standards and remedies available in Georgia courts, and the procedural disputes — including motions to dismiss and evidentiary fights — that will determine whether the case proceeds to trial or is narrowed further ^{[1] [6]}.

6. Big picture: totals, appeals, and political framing that matter for outcomes

Across the analyses, totals and legal characterizations diverge: one source tallies 34 convictions plus other dismissed counts, others summarize four major cases totaling roughly 88 charged counts, and still others emphasize a mix of convictions, dismissals, and pending indictments. Every source notes active appeals, constitutional challenges to prosecutorial authority, and vigorous claims of political motivation by the defendant — framing that both informs legal strategy and shapes public perception. The interplay of venue differences, appellate trajectories, and procedural dismissals — not merely the initial indictments — will determine ultimate legal consequences and is therefore the essential context missing from one‑line summaries of “major criminal cases” ^{[2] [1] [3]}.