The judge Juan Merchan this Friday postponed the sentence of the criminal trial in New York against the president-elect, Donald Trump, which was initially scheduled for November 26although it has not indicated a new date for its broadcast. Furthermore, he has authorized the defense to present a motion to dismiss case and has established a calendar for reporting during the month of December.
The new key date is December 2when the defense must present its arguments to request the dismissal of the case. It should be noted that Trump’s legal team had requested until December 20 to deliver their documentation. Subsequently, The Prosecutor’s Office will have until December 9 to present its response.
Judge Merchán planned to issue his ruling against Trump next week, after the former president was found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. These charges are related to a payment made to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels, in order to prevent her extramarital affair from affecting her 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump’s legal team managed to delay the ruling until after the US presidential election
This is the second postponement of the sentence by Judge Merchán. The ruling was originally due to be issued in early summer, but Trump’s legal team managed to delay it until after the United States presidential elections, held on November 5.
The first US president convicted in a criminal trial
The magistrate also agreed to postpone his decision on presidential immunity until reviewing the documents presented by both parties. Trump’s lawyers have requested that he be granted presidential immunity according to the ruling of the Supreme Court or, failing that, that it be recognized that, for legal purposes, his rights as an elected president are equivalent to those of a sitting president.
In this case, Trump could face a sentence of up to four years in prison. However, experts point out that Judge Merchán is likely to opt for a shorter sentenceor even impose alternative measures such as probation or periodic visits to a court.
Trump denies any wrongdoing, maintains his innocence and accuses Democrats of carrying out a “witch hunt” against him. His criminal conviction was the first of a former presidentand this year, the Republican became the first convicted felon to reach the White House.
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