New york judge orders trump to be sentenced in hush money case ten days before inauguration

New York Judge Orders Trump to be Sentenced in Hush Money Case Ten Days Before Inauguration

Posted by
1 min read
January 3, 2025

NEW YORK— A New York judge on Friday scheduled President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing for Jan. 10 in his hush money case, less than two weeks before his inauguration, while ruling out a jail sentence.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, who oversaw Trump’s trial earlier this year, announced that the sentencing would result in a conditional discharge. This arrangement means the charges would be dismissed if Trump avoids additional legal trouble.

The case stems from Trump’s May conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors alleged that the charges were linked to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels to silence claims of an affair. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations false.

Merchan had paused proceedings after Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory to allow both sides to discuss next steps. Trump’s legal team requested the case be dismissed, arguing it could interfere with his ability to assume the presidency.

The Jan. 10 sentencing date comes amid unprecedented circumstances, as Trump prepares to return to the White House while facing ongoing legal challenges.

“Trump’s sentencing places the justice system and presidential politics on a historic collision course.”

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss