Trump was sentenced to an 'unconditional discharge' in his hush money conviction. Here's what that means

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

50% : "Regarding Trump's case specifically, Merchan wrote, "A sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow (Trump) to pursue his appellate options.
48% : "WATCH: GOP lawmakers take early steps to implement Trump's agendaPut simply, it appears Merchan, having considered the totality of the circumstances, including Trump's election to a second term as president, concluded, as is his right as a judge, that it is in the best interest of the public not to imprison Trump.
43% : Once the sentence is officially entered in a final judgment, Trump can appeal the case, as he has a legal right to do so.
39% : As Merchan hinted, moving forward with the sentencing favored Trump because it would result in a final judgment being entered against him, thus enabling him to properly appeal his conviction.
38% : Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, made clear during the sentencing that Trump intends to appeal.
37% : On Jan. 10, 2025, Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial in a New York state court, sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge for all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
31% : Uniquely, Trump had sought dismissal of his guilty verdict before his sentencing.
28% : Donald Trump is now a convicted felon, and will be the first president of the United States with a felony conviction.
27% : In recent court filings, Trump sought to get his guilty verdict thrown out, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on presidential immunity in criminal prosecutions meant he can't be found guilty.
26% : That means there are no penalties or conditions imposed on Trump, such as prison time or parole.
24% : "To be clear, Trump was convicted of unlawful conduct that occurred before his first term as president.
21% : In his statement to the court, Trump maintained the point he had made throughout the prosecution, that the whole case was a political witch hunt.READ MORE: As term nears its end, Biden Presidency viewed less favorably by Americans than Trump or Obama, AP-NORC poll finds"The fact is, I'm totally innocent," said Trump via a video appearance in the court.
9% : Trump ultimately failed to block sentencingOn May 30, 2024, a New York County jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

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