This is soviet show trial territory. Whether you like Trump or not, no person should have to endure the level of vindictive persecution that Trump has to endure.
Especially if it’s being perpetrated by the federal government. Even being a case in NY, this is coming straight from the top.
I'm not a lawyer, but let's call this for what it is: it's a $355 million dollar criminal fine being levied by the State of New York, in a kangaroo trial where the verdict was decided ahead of time without a jury on a conviction based on preponderance of the evidence instead of the standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" usually expected in a criminal proceeding. Trump was hit with what was effectively a criminal fine without the due process of a criminal preceding.
Criminal cases are concerned with crimes and the penalties pertaining thereto. Civil cases are concerned with torts. You can have a victimless crime but not a victimless tort. It would be one thing if the state were acting on behalf of banks that had complained about Trump's actions. As it stands, the state is acting on its own behalf to enforce a "public good", not to right a civil wrong.
I don't know. Like I said, I'm not a lawyer and maybe some lurking lawyer will call my reasoning idiotic. All I know is that this seems to be a grave miscarriage of justice.