New York judge to decide fate of Trump sentencing in hush money case

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

52% : If sentencing is a go, Merchan is weighing whether Trump should return to court at the end of this month or if sentencing should be postponed until after his Jan. 20 inauguration.
44% : The Supreme Court in Trump v. United States found former presidents enjoy some level of immunity from criminal prosecutions for official acts.
42% : But given Trump's return to the White House in under 80 days and his preparations to lead the country over the next four years, experts say Trump may expect only a fine, if not a complete dismissal of the case, before his scheduled Nov. 26 sentencing.
38% : Trump, who is 78, pleaded not guilty in all four cases, describing them as politically motivated efforts to obstruct his campaign.
37% : If Merchan gave a favorable ruling for Trump, either by overturning his conviction based on the Supreme Court ruling or by delaying sentencing, it would remove one of the four criminal cases that have hung like a cloud over him as he pursued his bid for reelection.
36% : The ruling derived from an appeal in the 2020 election subversion case brought by federal prosecutors, but Trump has sought to use it as a precedent for the dismissal of the hush money case in New York state court.
29% : Meanwhile, the Justice Department is reviewing how to handle two federal cases against Trump led by special counsel Jack Smith, in line with long-standing policy not to prosecute sitting presidents.
23% : "I don't understand the case against Trump in New York.
23% : While legal experts suggest a full prison term is highly unlikely, Trump could face penalties including fines or probation.
22% : Trump has denied allegations of an affair with Daniels and decried the case by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as a "witch hunt.
21% : Trump fought the allegations in New York state court but was found guilty by a 12-member jury.

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