A New York judge on Friday said Donald Trump would be sentenced on January 10 following his conviction in a hush-money case last spring, but a prison sentence is highly unlikely.
The ruling is the first time a president-elect will be sentenced in a criminal case and the hearing will take place 10 days before Mr Trump's inauguration in Washington on January 20.
Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, said that Mr Trump could appear either in person or online for the sentencing hearing.
Last May, a 12-member jury found Mr Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide payments made to a number of people claiming to have scandalous stories about him during his first presidential campaign in 2016.
The prospect of a sentencing slimmed after a major Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and Mr Trump's election to a second term.
“It seems proper at this juncture to make known the court's inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentenced authorised by the conviction but one the people concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation,” the judge wrote in the ruling.
He emphasised the seriousness of the conviction, however, calling Mr Trump's actions “the premeditated and continuous deception by the leader of the free world”.
It appeared that Mr Merchan intended to issue an “unconditional discharge” for Mr Trump.
“In balancing the aforementioned considerations in conjunction with the underlying concerns of the Presidential immunity doctrine, a sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow defendant to pursue his appellate options,” the ruling read.
According to New York penal law, an unconditional discharge would allow Mr Trump to be released without imprisonment, fines or probation, but the conviction would still stand, formally labelling him a convicted felon.
Mr Trump's legal team has pointed to the Supreme Court ruling from last July, which has since compelled the Justice Department to drop two federal cases against the Republican politician.
His spokesman, Steven Cheung, said the move was a “direct violation” of the Supreme Court decision, adding that the case should have never been brought forward and should be dismissed.
“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead,” he said.
Mr Merchan said that the New York court believed the ruling was not relevant for this state-level case that was focused on a legal issue that took place prior to his first presidency.
It was a popular belief that sentencing would not be held until after Mr Trump's presidency concludes in January 2029, but Mr Merchan decided to move forward now.
“The record is clear that defendant not only consented to, but in fact requested the very adjournment that led us down the path we are on,” he wrote.
“As the parties are aware, it was on defendant's application, without opposition from the people, that sentence was adjourned until after the presidential election. Any claim defendant may have that circumstances have changed as a result of defendant's victory in the presidential election, while convenient, is disingenuous.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
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Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
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Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
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Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Fanar Haddad: The Iranian response will be gradual
Richard Olson: Why Afghanistan will be very wary
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
