New York Supreme Court rejects Trump's request to postpone hush money case ruling

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The New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, rejected President-elect Donald Trump's last-minute attempt to delay sentencing in a hush-money criminal case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump argued for a stay of the trial on the grounds of “president-elect immunity,” a claim prosecutors called “baseless.” Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday after being convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from hush money payments he made during his 2016 presidential campaign. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, led by Alvin Bragg, argued that Trump's claim of immunity as president-elect has no constitutional basis. “By definition, the president-elect is not yet the president,” prosecutors wrote in a filing. “Ordinary criminal proceedings involving the president-elect would not serve any Title II functions.” The district attorney’s office further warned that delaying the special Trump's sentencing could complicate legal proceedings after Trump takes office on January 20, when presidential immunity could have significant ramifications. “It is self-evident that there is only one president at a time,” Bragg said in a statement. “No judicial decision or guidance from the Department of Justice recognizes that the sitting president's unique temporary immunity extends to the elected president.” Special Trump's ruling came after months of delays, including multiple appeals by his legal team. Prosecutors argued that the jury had seen “overwhelming” evidence of Trump's guilt and would have dismissed his assault charges if sentencing had gone forward. Although Trump faces up to four years in prison, Judge Juan Mercan has said he intends to sentence Trump to an unconditional release. This would result in no jail time, fines or probation, respect for the transition process and recognition of the principle of presidential immunity. Prosecutors, however, stressed the importance of completing sentencing before Trump takes office. “If the defendant is to be sentenced in this proceeding, now would be the least troublesome time,” they wrote in the filing. Trump's legal challenge extends to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he also asked this week to halt the sentencing. . As of now, his request remains unresolved at the federal level. Trump's sentencing is scheduled for Friday in New York. Like this: Like Loading… Discover more from Baller AlertSubscribe to get the latest posts delivered to your email.

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