Couple of questions about impeachment trial customs, regulations, and procedures

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. No, it's not a real trial at all.

It's more like a performance review panel, a more formal version of when a board of director considers whether to fire the CEO. It's called a trial because lawyers argue for or against the question of whether someone should lose their job (or, as in this case, never be eligible for the job again), but no other consequences can occur - no fine, no jail. The "jury" isn't a real jury and there are no rules prohibiting senators from voting. It's unethical as hell for Senators to confer with Trump's lawyers but nothing prohibits it.

Here are the rules: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/3_1986SenatesImpeachmentRules.pdf