Politics
Donald Trump to be sentenced in ‘Hush Money’ case on Jan. 10: Can he go to prison?
Judge Juan Merchan rejected Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss the case against him involving hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, and will sentence him on Jan. 10.
In late May 2024, the jury in the Stormy Daniels’ hush money trial found President-elect Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records that he faced. Although sentencing was initially scheduled for September, it was postponed for November 26 and now has a new date.
The case centered on allegations that Trump falsified internal business records at his private company to cover up an attempt to illegally influence the 2016 election through payments that silenced accusations potentially damaging to his candidacy.
Prosecutors say Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen made a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels on Trump’s behalf to cover up an affair. The payment was intended to keep the story quiet so as not to harm his 2016 presidential bid.
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Donald Trump will be sentenced but not jailed
In early September, Judge Merchan delayed Trump’s sentencing until Nov. 26 to avoid any appearance of affecting the outcome of the presidential election. However, the judge subsequently gave the defense a little more time to file a motion to dismiss the case. The deadline to do so was Dec. 2.
However, on Jan. 3, Judge Merchan rejected Trump’s legal team’s motion to dismiss the case against him and said he will sentence him on Jan. 10, 10 days before he is sworn into office as president.
Judge Merchan said Trump can appear in person or virtually for sentencing. The judge also clarified that he will not order Trump to be jailed. The only question remaining is what exactly his sentence would be.
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First-degree falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison or a fine of up to $100,000 per charge, or both, plus prosecution costs. In this case, Trump was found guilty and taking into account that he will not go to prison, the president-elect could face a lesser sentence of probation with its corresponding fine.
Merchan said “an unconditional discharge ruling appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow the defendant to pursue his appeal options.”
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