What is unconditional discharge for Donald Trump?
Judge Juan Merchan has sentenced Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge in the historic hush money case. What will this mean for the president-elect?
In late May 2024, the jury in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial found Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records that he faced.
The case centered on allegations that Trump falsified internal business records at his private company to cover up a payment to the porn star. The payment was intended to keep the story quiet so as not to harm his 2016 presidential bid.
Trump was found guilty of a Class E felony offense, which could mean up to four years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines per count.
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Eight months after the jury’s verdict, Judge Juan Merchan has sentenced the president-elect to an unconditional discharge, after earlier saying that he would not send him to prison.
Merchan said his ruling was “the only lawful sentence” that could protect the office of the president.
Before handing down his decision, the judge clarified that the protections given to the office apply only to the position, and not the occupant of the office.
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What is an unconditional discharge?
This sentence means that Trump will be able to avoid going to prison, paying fines, and even going under probation.
An unconditional discharge means the case is over and no further conditions will be imposed, although the conviction stands.
This ruling upholds the jury’s verdict and cements Trump’s status as a felon, but at the same time makes sure he can only be made to suffer limited consequences.
BREAKING: President-elect Trump has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge in his NY criminal hush money case.@aaronkatersky details what Judge Merchan told Trump: "He took pains to tell Trump he was treated like any other criminal defendant in this courthouse." pic.twitter.com/8keX9MXomw
— ABC News (@ABC) January 10, 2025
The incoming president will still feel some repercussions and a loss of some rights. Although Trump will not be ordered to perform even community service, his status as a convicted felon will prohibit him from buying a firearm in New York or Florida.
Merchan had said days before the sentencing that “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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