Judge Juan Merchan of the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City announced that former President Donald Trump's sentencing has been postponed from July 11 to September 18 after Trump was convicted in May of charges that he paid $130,000, or nearly 5 million baht, to hide his relationship with porn actress Stormy Daniels.
But before that, on September 6, there will be a decision on whether or not Trump's punishment can be carried out.
Trump's lawyers have filed a motion asking Judge Morchan to allow arguments on the former president's sentence to proceed in New York state court. That should be thrown out because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that current and former presidents are protected from criminal prosecution. If done properly
While the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said the Trump lawyers' arguments lacked weight, it agreed to defer the sentence to allow Trump's lawyers to explain.
However, prosecutors can file a motion to review the delay in Trump's sentencing by July 24, which some lawyers say has nothing to do with the president's duties.
The money was used to hide her relationship with Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won, and prosecutors allege the motive behind the move was to avoid negative consequences for voting.
A New York jury has found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business documents related to payments. Each count carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, making Trump the first U.S. president to be convicted in a criminal case.
Trump could still campaign or legally take office if he wins the Nov. 5 election, even if he is in prison.
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