The New York court judge announced the sentence he will impose on Trump in the 'hush money' case.

The elected president of the USA, Trump, was charged by the Manhattan District Attorney on March 18, 2023, for being indicted by a grand jury in connection with an investigation into the illegal "hush money" payments made to Stormy Daniels, who acted in adult films, during the 2016 elections. New York Court Judge Juan Merchan announced that the sentencing in the "hush money" case, in which Trump was found guilty, would take place on January 10. Merchan stated that Trump could attend the hearing either virtually or in person.

IMPLIED CONDITIONAL RELEASE FOR TRUMP

Judge Merchan noted in his written decision that "only by bringing a definitive resolution to this matter will the interests of justice be served," stating that Trump's sentence would be determined at the hearing on January 10. In the ruling, Merchan implied that he would impose a conditional release sentence that would dismiss the case if Trump was not arrested again, instead of a prison sentence.

FIRST PRESIDENT TO BE CONVICTED OF FELONIES

This decision by Judge Merchan was interpreted as Trump being on the path to becoming the first president to take office while being convicted of felonies, as he is set to enter the White House on January 20. Trump's lawyers had officially applied to Judge Merchan on December 4, 2024, stating that the case against their client should be dismissed.

However, Merchan rejected the elected president's request to dismiss the case, ruling that Trump's conviction for hush money was valid.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Donald Trump was charged by the Manhattan District Attorney on March 18, 2023, for being indicted by a grand jury in connection with an investigation into the illegal "hush money" payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 elections. Trump, who denied the charges against him, began his trial in New York on April 15, 2024, and after six weeks of hearings, he was found guilty of all 34 charges by the court jury on May 31. The US Supreme Court ruled that Trump had "immunity on certain matters" regarding his role in the January 6 Capitol riot and allegations of interference in the 2020 presidential elections.

The court decided, with a vote of 6 to 3, that Trump had the right to immunity from prosecution due to his official actions, but this immunity did not apply to his private conduct. Following this, New York Court Judge Juan Merchan announced in a written statement that Trump's "hush money" case, for which sentencing was expected to be announced on September 18, had been postponed to November 26, after the US Presidential Elections on November 5. Other two federal cases against Trump regarding interference in the 2020 elections and the concealment of state-owned classified documents were also concluded by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith after he emerged victorious from the November 5 elections. Another state-level case regarding election interference opened in Georgia was also put on hold. The hush money case, in which Trump was found guilty, carried a potential fine and up to 4 years in prison.