Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan could yield a verdict as soon as next week. And if he’s found guilty by the jury, he could be the first former president in U.S. history to go to prison. However, Judge Juan Merchan has the final say in the sentencing process. And because Trump’s 34 charges are all class E felonies — the lowest class of felony in the state of New York — and because Trump would be a first-time offender, it’s possible he could simply serve probation and pay a fine. But according to a recent Politico report, Merchan may not opt for leniency in the senten…