Unconditional discharge may seem like no punishment at all, but it allows the judge to make a statement.
After multiple failed attempts to have the hearing delayed, Donald Trump has been sentenced in the New York “hush money” case. Judge Juan Merchan delivered the sentence Friday, January 10: unconditional discharge, precisely what had been expected.
The former president, now re-elected to serve again, was found guilty back in May on 34 felony charges relating to a $130,000 payout to adult actress Stephanie Clifford, better known by her stage name, Stormy Daniels. However, Trump had been president when this issue was raised, and now he’s going to be president once again. That raises two questions: What actions taken by a president during his time in office can be charged? And what sentence can be issued against a…
