January 6, 2025
… a sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.
Judge Juan Merchan, the New York judge overseeing the “hush money” case that resulted in the felony convictions of President-elect Trump, in his recent ruling scheduling the sentencing.
Why It Matters: In a ruling on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan announced President-elect Trump will face sentencing for the hush money case on Jan. 10, which is 10 days before the presidential inauguration. Judge Merchan indicated President-elect Trump will likely receive an “unconditional discharge,” meaning President-elect Trump’s convictions will stand, but he will not face prison, fines or probation for the 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump’s legal team is trying to get the sentencing postponed indefinitely.
President-elect Trump continues to call for the case to be dismissed and will likely appeal after sentencing, but if everything goes as expected, President-elect Trump will be a convicted felon when he’s sworn in as president. As The Associated Press notes, “it’s tough to predict just what will unfold in this unprecedented, unpredictable case.”
Read More: Trump’s sentencing is set for Jan. 10. Here’s what could happen next (The Associated Press)
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
