In a legal victory for President-elect Donald Trump, the judge in his criminal Hush money case Friday ordered that the sentence be postponed indefinitely.
“It is … ordered that the joint motion for a stay of sentence be granted to the extent that the date of November 26, 2024 is postponed,” Judge Juan Murchan said in an order, as Trump prepares to return to the White House. Preparing.
Donald Trump was also granted permission to dismiss his criminal hush money case after he was convicted earlier this year, as reported by Reuters. Judge Merchan’s order also stated, “Defendant’s request for leave to file a motion to dismiss … is granted.”
Complainants from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office earlier this week asked New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to consider delaying all proceedings until Trump completes his presidential term, which begins on January 20.
However, the Republican former president’s legal team argues that the case should be dismissed, arguing that its continuation during his presidency would create an “unconstitutional obstruction” of his ability to carry out his presidential duties.
While Bragg’s office indicated they would fight the dismissal, they acknowledged Trump’s right to present his arguments through written submissions.
On Friday, Justice Murchan set Dec. 2 as the deadline for Trump to submit his motion to dismiss, allowing prosecutors until Dec. 9 to file their response.
In May 2024, Donald Trump was convicted of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Daniels also alleged that she had a sexual encounter with Trump, which he denied.
This is the first time a US President has been convicted of a criminal offence. Trump pleaded not guilty, claiming the case was politically motivated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, to interfere with his campaign.
His legal team argued that continuing the case would “impede the functioning of the entire government apparatus.” The offense carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, although experts have suggested options such as a fine or probation due to the possibility of a prison sentence before his election.
Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in November 2024 complicated sentencing options, as prison or probation could disrupt his presidential duties. The case is one of several legal challenges facing Trump, including issues involving classified documents and his efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.
