Friday, January 10, 2025

Hush money case: US judge sentences Donald Trump, declines to impose jail term, fine

Must read

Jan 10, 2025 08:47 PM IST

Donald Trump hush money case: The sentencing will place a judgment of guilt on his record.

A US judge on Friday sentenced President-elect Donald Trump over his criminal conviction stemming from hush money paid to a porn star. The sentencing will place a judgment of guilt on his record; however, he will not go to jail or pay a fine ahead of his inauguration.

Todd Blanche, attorney for former US President Donald Trump, and US President-elect Donald Trump are seen on the screen at Manhattan criminal court in New York.(Reuters)

Donald Trump was facing a jail sentence of up to four years. Manhattan Judge Juan M Merchan, however, chose a sentence that sidestepped thorny constitutional issues by effectively ending the case. The verdict, however, ensured that the Republican would become the first-ever US president with a felony conviction.

The judge said he must consider any aggravating factors before imposing a sentence. However, he added, the legal protection that Trump will enjoy as the president “is a factor that overrides all others.”

The judge said the legal protections for a president don’t have the power to erase a jury verdict.

Latest article