Donald Trump has been handed a no-penalty sentence following his conviction within the Stormy Daniels hush cash case.
The incoming US president has obtained an unconditional discharge – which means he won’t face jail time, probation or a wonderful.
Manhattan Choose Juan M Merchan might have jailed him for as much as 4 years.
The sentencing in Manhattan comes days earlier than the 78-year-old is because of be inaugurated as US president for a second time on 20 January.
Trump appeared on the listening to by videolink and addressed the courtroom earlier than he was sentenced, telling the choose the case has been a “very terrible experience” for him.
He claimed the case was dealt with inappropriately and by somebody related along with his political opponents – referring to Manhattan district lawyer Alvin Bragg.
Trump stated: “It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election.
“This has been a political witch hunt.
“I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong.”
Concluding his assertion, he stated: “I was treated very unfairly and I thank you very much.”
Picture:
US President-elect Donald Trump is seen on the display at Manhattan prison courtroom in New York, US, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. JEENAH MOON/Pool by way of REUTERS
The US Supreme Court docket rejected a last-ditch try by Trump to delay sentencing within the case on Thursday.
Trump’s legal professionals argued that proof used in the course of the trial violated final summer time’s Supreme Court docket ruling giving Trump broad immunity from prosecution over acts he took as president.
His hush cash conviction in Might 2024 means he’ll turn out to be the primary particular person convicted of a felony to imagine the presidency.
He was discovered responsible in New York of 34 counts of falsifying enterprise information referring to funds made to Ms Daniels earlier than he received the 2016 US election.
Prosecutors claimed he had paid her $130,000 (£105,300) in hush cash to not reveal particulars of what Ms Daniels stated was a sexual relationship in 2006.
Trump has denied any liaison with Ms Daniels or any wrongdoing.
The trial made headlines all over the world however the particulars of the case or Trump’s conviction did not deter American voters from choosing him as president for a second time.
Picture:
Todd Blanche, lawyer for former US President Donald Trump, and US President-elect Donald Trump are seen on the display at Manhattan prison courtroom in New York, US, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. JEENAH MOON/Pool by way of REUTERS
What’s an unconditional discharge?
Underneath New York state legislation, an unconditional discharge is a sentence imposed “without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision”.
The sentence is handed down when a choose is “of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant’s release”, in keeping with the legislation.
It means Trump’s hush cash case has been resolved with none punishment that might intrude along with his return to the White Home.
Unconditional discharges have been handed down in earlier instances the place, like Trump, individuals have been convicted of falsifying enterprise information.
They’ve additionally been utilized in relation into low-level offences akin to rushing, trespassing and marijuana-related convictions.
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