Verdict reached in Donald Trump's 'hush money' case: Unconditional discharge

At a hearing held at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, Judge Juan Merchan announced that an unconditional discharge had been granted to Trump, who was found guilty of paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. 

Trump, who attended the hearing online with his lawyer, did not show any reaction to the decision.

An unconditional discharge means that while Trump's conviction remains on the record, he will not be imprisoned, fined, or subjected to probation.

However, Donald Trump will be the first president in U.S. history to take office after being convicted by a court.

The 'hush money' case in which Trump was found guilty carried a potential penalty of a fine and up to 4 years in prison.

Following the rejection of his request to postpone the sentencing hearing by the New York appeals court on January 7, Trump had applied to the Supreme Court, the final authority, on January 8.

TRUMP'S 'HUSH MONEY' CASE

Donald Trump was charged by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on March 18, 2023, as part of an investigation into illegal 'hush money' payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 elections.

Denying the charges against him, Trump began trial in New York on April 15, 2024, and was found guilty on all 34 counts by a jury following a 6-week trial.

The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that Trump had 'some immunity' regarding his role in the January 6 Capitol riot and allegations of interference in the 2020 presidential election.

The court decided by a 6-to-3 vote that Trump has immunity from prosecution for his official acts, but that this immunity does not apply to his private conduct.

Following this, New York Court Judge Merchan announced on September 18, 2024, that the sentencing for Trump's 'hush money' case, which was expected to be announced, had been postponed until after the November 5, 2024, U.S. Presidential Election.