President-elect Trump seeks stay of sentencing in hush money case
Trump's move to request a stay of sentencing in the hush money case has introduced yet another layer of complexity to an already intricate legal saga.
President-elect Donald Trump is asking for a delay in his sentencing regarding the hush money case. His legal team submitted a motion to Judge Juan Merchan on Sunday for the court to cancel the sentencing hearing set for January 10, 2025, and to pause all upcoming deadlines until his immunity appeals are settled.
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Last week, Merchan denied Trump's request to dismiss the case and set the sentencing for 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records for this week, ahead of his inauguration.
The filing indicates that Donald Trump plans to appeal these decisions to the state Appellate Division later today and qualifies for an "automatic stay."
In a statement, Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, called the sentencing "unlawful."
"The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on immunity, the New York state constitution, and other established legal precedents necessitate the immediate dismissal of this unfounded charade," he said.
Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The court had previously rejected Trump's attempt to dismiss the case and mandated that his sentencing proceed before his inauguration. Trump's lawyers contend that the sentencing should be put on hold while they appeal the ruling.
This request has drawn attention, as it's uncommon for defendants to seek a stay of sentencing in such cases. The final decision will be made by the judge overseeing the case, and it will be interesting to see how they react to Trump's appeal.
The Background of the Hush Money Case
The hush money case arises from claims that Trump instructed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels to silence her regarding an alleged affair with Trump. This payment occurred just weeks prior to the 2016 presidential election, prompting inquiries into campaign finance laws and whether Trump breached any regulations.
The Implications of Trump's Decision
If Trump is granted a stay of sentencing, it might postpone the outcome of the case for several months or even years. This would give Trump the opportunity to contest the charges and could possibly keep him out of jail for now. On the other hand, if the judge rejects his request, Trump could face immediate sentencing and might find himself in prison sooner than expected.
