President-Elect Donald Trump Seeks to Halt Sentencing in Hush Money Case
President-elect Donald Trump asked a judge Monday to halt this week’s sentencing in his hush money case while they appeal a ruling upholding the verdict.
Appeal Request
Trump’s lawyers said they plan to ask a state appeals court to reverse Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision last week, which set the case for sentencing on Friday.
Automatic Stay Request
Trump’s lawyers argued that their appeal should trigger what’s known as an automatic stay, or pause, in the proceedings. If that doesn’t happen, they argued, Merchan should then grant a pause and prevent sentencing from happening on Friday as scheduled.
Judge’s Ruling
In his decision last week, the judge signaled he is not likely to sentence Trump, a Republican, to any punishment for his historic conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Merchan wrote that only “bringing finality to this matter” by sentencing Trump would serve the interests of justice.
Sentencing Options
The judge wrote that sentencing Trump to what’s known as an unconditional discharge — closing the case without jail time, a fine or probation — “appears to be the most viable solution.”
Opportunity to Speak
Trump will have an opportunity to speak at his sentencing, as will his lawyers and prosecutors. Once he is sentenced, he can appeal the verdict, as he has vowed to do.
Conviction and Punishment
Trump is on course to be the first president to take office convicted of felony crimes. The charges involved an alleged scheme to hide a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in the last weeks of Trump’s 2016 campaign to keep her from publicizing claims she’d had sex with him years earlier.
Possible Punishment
The conviction carried the possibility of punishment ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison.
Reaction from Key Witness
Cohen, a key prosecution witness who had previously called for Trump to be put in prison, said that “based upon all of the intervening circumstances” Merchan’s decision to sentence Trump without punishment “is both judicious and appropriate.”
Conclusion
The outcome of this case remains uncertain, with Trump’s lawyers seeking to halt the sentencing and appeal the verdict. If the appeal is denied, Trump will be sentenced and will have the opportunity to appeal the verdict. This case has significant implications for the future of the presidency and the administration of justice.
FAQs
Q: What is the reason for Trump’s appeal?
A: Trump’s lawyers are appealing the verdict and seeking to halt the sentencing, citing the possibility of presidential immunity and the upcoming second term.
Q: What is the judge’s ruling?
A: Judge Juan M. Merchan has upheld the verdict and set the case for sentencing on Friday, signaling that he is unlikely to sentence Trump to any punishment.
Q: What are the possible punishments for Trump?
A: The conviction carried the possibility of punishment ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison.
Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: This case has significant implications for the future of the presidency and the administration of justice, as Trump is on course to be the first president to take office convicted of felony crimes.
