Florida, United States

Former US president and White House hopeful Donald Trump will on Monday (June 10) have a virtual interview with an official from the New York City Probation Department.

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The interview follows a verdict that found him guilty of covering up a hush money payment and is part of preparing the sentencing recommendation that would be forwarded to the judge.

Virtual interview

As per a CBS News report, Trump, who happens to be the first former president to be criminally convicted, will appear from Mar-a-Lago. His lawyer Todd Blanche, as per the report citing a source with the knowledge of the matter, will appear alongside him.

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NBC News, citing a former commissioner for the New York City Department of Correction and Probation, reports that it was not normal for a probation interview to happen virtually.

"It is highly unusual for a pre-sentence investigation interview to be done over Zoom," said Martin Horn, adding that Trump visiting the courthouse in downtown Manhattan would be "very disruptive" to other court business. Given the presence of the Secret Service and media, he said it could be unfair to other defendants who might not want to be identified.

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"So in the end, this might be better for the probation officer," he added.

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The presence of Trump's lawyer Blanche is also a move away from the normal. As per the Associated Press, convicts in the New York Court system do not usually have their lawyers present for probation interviews.

What is a pre-sentencing report?

Pre-sentencing reports include information on an offender's personal life, criminal history, financial means, health condition and general living situation. This is the information that gives guidelines to the judge regarding what punishment may be awarded to the criminal. The interview, as per BBC, often allows the convict to seek leniency in terms of the sentence.

Trump, who was found guilty on May 30, will be sentenced on July 11. He will face a maximum sentence of four years, although convictions typically result in shorter sentences.

(With inputs from agencies)