Donald Trump's Sentencing on 26 November: After Election

[Social Media]

 

Donald Trump's sentencing in his Manhattan hush money criminal trial has been delayed until after the November 2024 presidential election. On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan announced that the sentencing would now take place on 26 November, citing "the unique time frame this matter currently finds itself in" as one of the reasons for the delay.

 

Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has managed to postpone his sentencing through various legal maneuvers. The sentencing was originally scheduled for 18 September, following his conviction in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This historic verdict marked the first time a sitting or former president of the United States has been convicted of a crime.

 

In his decision, Judge Merchan emphasized that the case requires "a sentencing hearing that is entirely focused on the verdict of the jury." He stressed the importance of ensuring that the jury's verdict is "respected and addressed in a manner that is not diluted by the enormity of the upcoming presidential election." By setting the sentencing three weeks after the 5 November election, the judge aims to "avoid any appearance—however unwarranted—that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate." He reaffirmed that the court remains "a fair, impartial, and apolitical institution."

 

Trump faces the possibility of up to four years in prison, but Judge Merchan has the discretion to impose a lesser punishment, such as a fine, probation, or a shorter jail term. Prosecutors accused Trump of concealing a payment to silence Stormy Daniels, a former adult-film star, during the final days of his 2016 election campaign. Daniels testified that she and Trump had a sexual encounter and that she accepted $130,000 from his former lawyer before the election to keep quiet about it. Prosecutors argued that Trump broke election law by disguising the payment as legal expenses.

 

Trump's sentencing was initially set for July but was delayed after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granted presidents some immunity from criminal prosecution for "official acts." This ruling led Judge Merchan to grant a further delay to allow both parties to prepare arguments on the implications of the Supreme Court's decision, with a final decision on those implications expected on 12 November.

 

While Judge Merchan has already dismissed some of Trump's lawyers' arguments for delay as "unsubstantiated grievances," he noted that sentencing hearings are routinely delayed in other cases for various reasons, such as personal circumstances or scheduling conflicts. He stated that there is "no reason why this Defendant should be treated differently than any other" given the unique circumstances of the case. The judge also expressed hope that his decision to delay the sentencing would "dispel any suggestion" that the court's actions were influenced by political considerations.

 

Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, telling Fox News that the "case should be dead." On his social media platform, Truth Social, he reiterated his claims of innocence, calling the case a "witch hunt" and a "political attack." He wrote that the case "should be rightfully terminated" as he prepares for "the Most Important Election in the History of our Country."

 

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the charges against Trump, stated that his team was "ready for sentencing on the new date set by the court." If Trump were to return to the White House, he would have the power to pardon himself of any federal crimes. However, the New York case, as well as the election interference case in Georgia, involves state charges, and presidents do not have the authority to pardon individuals convicted in state courts.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-09-07

 

 

 

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[Tug]

In my personal opinion this tells me the judge is going to give him jail time.after he loses the election and starts his election lies this will effectively shut him up much better than a gag order and well deserved as well.note to trump it’s not wise to attack the judge his family or officers of the courts.pay backs gonna hurt!😢 

Edited September 7 by Tug

[Chomper Higgot]

Judge Merchan once again demonstrates what a very fine judge he is.

 

 

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Judge Merchan once again demonstrates what a very fine judge he is.

 

 

Agreed. Although it's another example of Trump getting special treatment. I'll stipulate to the extraordinary circumstances, but would any other convicted felon get the same treatment?

 

2 hours ago, Tug said:

In my personal opinion this tells me the judge is going to give him jail time.

 But maybe under house arrest/home confinement.

 

 

 

[LosLobo]

The delay of Donald Trump’s sentencing until after the 2024 election raises three major concerns:

1. Equal justice for all – The decision risks creating the perception that Trump is being treated differently due to his political status.

2. Justice delayed is justice denied – Postponing the sentencing undermines timely accountability and could erode public confidence in the judicial system’s ability to enforce accountability.

3. Unfair advantage over other candidates – The deferment allows Trump to continue campaigning without facing immediate consequences for these 34 election interference convictions, potentially repeating actions that could interfere with the upcoming election.

[jerrymahoney]

I wouldn't go too far with this "Justice delayed is justice denied" stuff. The charges were brought against Trump 7 years after the events in the indictment.

Trump is running as a convicted felon even though the series E type felony is the lowest level felony charge in NY State -- same as painting unlawful graffiti on a building that doesn't belong to you. Edited September 7 by jerrymahoney

[HappyExpat57]

8 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

The delay of Donald Trump’s sentencing until after the 2024 election raises three major concerns:

1. Equal justice for all – The decision risks creating the perception that Trump is being treated differently due to his political status.

2. Justice delayed is justice denied – Postponing the sentencing undermines timely accountability and could erode public confidence in the judicial system’s ability to enforce accountability.

3. Unfair advantage over other candidates – The deferment allows Trump to continue campaigning without facing immediate consequences for these 34 election interference convictions, potentially repeating actions that could interfere with the upcoming election.

No one hates that disgusting pig of a man more than I do, but I try to look at things objectively.

 

Like it or not, he is unlike any typical  criminal. He's going to be treated differently. I believe he will lose the election regardless of sentencing before or after 4 November. This way the judge can bring the full weight of the justice system down on this convict.

 

Even if he HAD been sentenced before the election, that would not have changed the outcome.

[BigStar]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Although it's another example of Trump getting special treatment. I'll stipulate to the extraordinary circumstances, but would any other convicted felon get the same treatment?

 

Merchan figured that sentencing Trump might increase his popularity further and help him get elected. Just a political decision to help Harris. So his reasoning for the postponement was a bit convoluted w/ need to tout his fairness. Of course, it should have been postponed anyway, but for different reasons.

[LosLobo]

5 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

I wouldn't go too far with this "Justice delayed is justice denied" stuff. The charges were brought against Trump 7 years after the events in the indictment.

Possibly the main delay was Trump's sacking of Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, who was investigating 'Individual One' after the Cohen conviction.

Inside William Barr's Effort to Undermine N.Y. Prosecutors - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Inside William Barr's Effort to Undermine N.Y. Prosecutors - The New York Times (archive.md)

[jerrymahoney]

So what? -- Now what is the big hurry? Of all the reasons not to elect Trump in 2024 this case to me is about the weakest. Edited September 7 by jerrymahoney

[LosLobo]

26 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

So what? -- Now what is the big hurry? Of all the reasons not to elect Trump in 2024 this case to me is about the weakest.

Not, the E. Jean Carroll Defamation/ Sex Assault Case(s)?

[jerrymahoney]

That too. The other 3 criminal cases would be something else but they as of now are in limbo.