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legal Developments in Trump’s Case: An Overview

Source: CNN, New York
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Judge Denies Request for Sentencing Postponement

In a significant ruling, Judge Juan Merchan has denied Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing scheduled for Friday regarding his hush money conviction. This decision was officially recorded in a filing released on Monday, underscoring a pivotal moment in Trump’s ongoing legal battles.

Anticipation of an Appeal

Following this ruling, it is expected that Trump’s legal team will appeal Judge Merchan’s decision to a New York appellate court. This anticipated move indicates Trump’s continued strategy of contesting the judicial outcomes related to his conviction.

legal Maneuvers Amidst Political Context

Earlier on the same day, Trump’s attorneys filed an appeal petitioning a New York appellate court to overturn Merchan’s recent rulings, which have upheld Trump’s conviction in the hush money case. Additionally, they urged the judge to postpone his sentencing until after the appeals process unfolds. Notably, this legal activity coincides with Trump’s certification as the winner of the 2024 presidential election, further adding complexity to his legal circumstances given his past attempts to contest the 2020 election results.

Previous Rulings and Sentencing Timeline

Last week, Judge Merchan dismissed Trump’s request to vacate his conviction on the grounds of his presidential election status. He subsequently scheduled the sentencing for the hush money case on the upcoming Friday. Importantly, Merchan specified that he does not intend to impose any jail time on Trump, which may influence the overall legal strategy going forward.

Arguments for Postponement

Trump’s legal representatives assert that the sentencing should be suspended while his appeals are pending. In a formal filing, they argued, “The Court should vacate the sentencing hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025, and suspend all further deadlines in the case until President Trump’s immunity appeals are fully and finally resolved." Their contention is that the case should have never been initiated in the first place.

Prosecutors’ Position Against Delays

In a response, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office urged Judge Merchan to reject Trump’s request to delay the sentencing process. They contended in their filing that “The defendant will suffer no prejudice from the conclusion of criminal proceedings," given the intended sentence of an unconditional discharge. The prosecutors further noted that Trump had actively sought to delay the sentencing date, which was originally set for July 11, 2024.

Appeals Filed Against Conviction

On the same day as the sentencing issue, Trump’s attorneys filed an appeal with a New York appellate court seeking to overturn Merchan’s rulings that upheld the conviction. Nonetheless, they opted not to request immediate intervention regarding the sentencing, although this may change if the court proceeds with its plans to impose a sentence this Friday.

Concerns Over Judicial Precedent

In their appeal, Trump’s lawyers expressed concern that “Justice Merchan’s erroneous decisions threaten the institution of the Presidency." They argue that established legal precedent disallows criminal processes against a President-Elect and prohibit using official acts of a President as evidence in criminal cases.

Background on the Hush Money Case

Trump was convicted in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records tied to payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, which were used to reimburse a $130,000 hush money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. This payment was intended to suppress Daniels from publicly discussing an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election—a claim that Trump has consistently denied.

Implications of Presidential Immunity Claims

Originally, Trump was slated for sentencing in July, but this was postponed due to the Supreme Court’s considerations regarding presidential immunity. However, Merchan has since rejected Trump’s motions to dismiss the case based on these claims of immunity.

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Conclusion

The unfolding legal saga surrounding Donald Trump continues to develop, with significant rulings, appeals, and political implications at play. legal strategies and responses will be critical in the days leading up to the scheduled sentencing, which serves as a notable chapter in the broader narrative of Trump’s legal challenges.

This story has been updated to include the latest developments.

Contributors to this report include CNN’s Lauren del Valle and Nicki Brown.

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