Donald Trump has been handed a no-penalty sentence following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.The incoming US president has received an unconditional discharge - meaning he will not face jail time, probation or a fine. Manhattan Judge Juan M Merchan could have jailed him for up to four years.The sentencing in Manhattan comes just 10 days before the 78-year-old is due to be inaugurated as US president for a second time on 20 January.Trump appeared at the hearing by video link and addressed the court before he was sentenced, telling the judge the case had been a "very terrible experience" for him. He claimed it was handled inappropriately and by someone connected with his political opponents - referring to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg.As it happened:Trump sentenced in Manhattan courtTrump said: "It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election."This has been a political witch hunt. "I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong."Concluding his statement, he said: "I was treated very unfairly and I thank you very much."The judge then told the court it was up to him to "decide what is a just conclusion with a verdict of guilty".He said: "Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances."This has been a truly extraordinary case."He added that the "trial was a bit of a paradox" because "once the doors closed it was not unique". Image: Pic: Reuters Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass had earlier argued in court that Trump "engaged in a campaign to undermine the rule of law" during the trial."He's been unrelenting in his attacks against this court, prosecutors and their family," Mr Steinglass said."His dangerous rhetoric and unconstitutional conduct has been a direct attack on the rule of law and he has publicly threatened to retaliate against the prosecutors."Mr Steinglass said this behaviour was "designed to have a chilling effect and to intimidate".It comes after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch attempt by Trump to delay sentencing in the case on Thursday.Trump's lawyers argued that evidence used during the trial violated last summer's Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from prosecution over acts he took as president.Read moreA guide to Trump's inaugurationTrump refuses to rule out military force over Panama Canal Image: Trump appeared via videolink with his attorney Todd Blanche. Pic: Reuters Trump's hush money conviction in May 2024 means he will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the US presidency.He was found guilty in New York of 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to payments made to Ms Daniels, an adult film actor, before he won the 2016 US election.Prosecutors claimed he had paid her $130,000 (£105,300) in hush money to not reveal details of what Ms Daniels said was a sexual relationship in 2006.Trump has denied any liaison with Ms Daniels or any wrongdoing.The trial made headlines around the world but the details of the case or Trump's conviction didn't deter American voters from picking him as president for a second time. Image: Trump appears in court during his trial. Pic: AP What is an unconditional discharge?Under New York state law, an unconditional discharge is a sentence imposed "without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision".The sentence is handed down when a judge is "of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release", according to the law.It means Trump's hush money case has been resolved without any punishment that could interfere with his return to the White House.Unconditional discharges have been handed down in previous cases where, like Trump, people have been convicted of falsifying business records.They have also been applied in relation to low-level offences such as speeding, trespassing and marijuana-related convictions.

Donald Trump says he's 'totally innocent' and thanks judge moments before no

Prosecutors claimed he had paid her 0,000 (£105,300) in hush money to not reveal details of what Ms Daniels said was a sexual relationship in 2006.He added that the “trial was a bit of a paradox” because “once the doors closed it was not unique”. “This has been a political witch hunt.What is an unconditional […]

Prosecutors claimed he had paid her 0,000 (£105,300) in hush money to not reveal details of what Ms Daniels said was a sexual relationship in 2006.He added that the “trial was a bit of a paradox” because “once the doors closed it was not unique”.
“This has been a political witch hunt.What is an unconditional discharge?Mr Steinglass said this behaviour was “designed to have a chilling effect and to intimidate”.
The trial made headlines around the world but the details of the case or Trump’s conviction didn’t deter American voters from picking him as president for a second time.”This has been a truly extraordinary case.”Read more
A guide to Trump’s inauguration
Trump refuses to rule out military force over Panama Canal“I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong.”
Trump’s lawyers argued that evidence used during the trial violated last summer’s Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from prosecution over acts he took as president.The judge then told the court it was up to him to “decide what is a just conclusion with a verdict of guilty”.He claimed it was handled inappropriately and by someone connected with his political opponents – referring to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg.As it happened:
Trump sentenced in Manhattan courtIt comes after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch attempt by Trump to delay sentencing in the case on Thursday.”He’s been unrelenting in his attacks against this court, prosecutors and their family,” Mr Steinglass said.

Trump appeared at the hearing by video link and addressed the court before he was sentenced, telling the judge the case had been a “very terrible experience” for him.He was found guilty in New York of 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to payments made to Ms Daniels, an adult film actor, before he won the 2016 US election.The incoming US president has received an unconditional discharge – meaning he will not face jail time, probation or a fine.Trump said: “It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election.The sentencing in Manhattan comes just 10 days before the 78-year-old is due to be inaugurated as US president for a second time on 20 January.”His dangerous rhetoric and unconstitutional conduct has been a direct attack on the rule of law and he has publicly threatened to retaliate against the prosecutors.”It means Trump’s hush money case has been resolved without any punishment that could interfere with his return to the White House.

Donald Trump has been handed a no-penalty sentence following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.He said: “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances.Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass had earlier argued in court that Trump “engaged in a campaign to undermine the rule of law” during the trial.They have also been applied in relation to low-level offences such as speeding, trespassing and marijuana-related convictions.Unconditional discharges have been handed down in previous cases where, like Trump, people have been convicted of falsifying business records.

Concluding his statement, he said: “I was treated very unfairly and I thank you very much.”Under New York state law, an unconditional discharge is a sentence imposed “without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision”.Trump has denied any liaison with Ms Daniels or any wrongdoing.Trump’s hush money conviction in May 2024 means he will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the US presidency.The sentence is handed down when a judge is “of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant’s release”, according to the law.Manhattan Judge Juan M Merchan could have jailed him for up to four years.