Trump Will Undergo Trial For Sentence In Case Of Money Closed In The Mouth 10 Days Before The Inauguration

Donald Trump/PHOTO via Instagram @realdonaldtrump

JAKARTA - US President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced on January 10 in a criminal case in which he was convicted on charges of silence money being paid to a porn star.

But Trump will most likely not face prison terms or other penalties, the judge said on Friday, January 4.

Judge Juan Mercchan's decision means Trump must appear at court just 10 days before his inauguration on January 20.

Prior to Trump, no US president, neither former nor in office, had ever been charged or convicted of a crime.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said there should be no punishment in this case.

"This unlawful case should never have been filed, and the Constitution demands that the case be terminated immediately," Cheung said.

Merchant announced its plans to impose the sentence by rejecting Trump's motion to overturn the case due to his victory in the presidential election.

Trump's lawyers argued by saying allowing the case to be suspended during his presidency would hinder his ability to rule.

Merchant rejected the argument by emphasizing that setting aside the jury's decision would undermine the rule of law in various ways.

"The status of the defendant as President-elect does not require the drastic and strengthen' application of authority to grant the motion (dismissal)," Merchan wrote in his decision.

Despite recognizing Trump's services as president, the judge said Trump's public statement criticizing the justice system was also a determining factor on how Trump's character would affect the decision.

Merchant criticized what he called a "stop and baseless attack" by Trump against the integrity of the criminal process.

His party found Trump guilty of 10 charges of humiliation during the trial for repeatedly violating orders that limited statements outside the court about witnesses. and others.

"The defendant tried hard to broadcast on social media and other forums that he did not respect judges, judges, grand fights, and the justice system as a whole," wrote Judge Merchant.

The defendant's character and history in relation to the rule of law and the third branch of government must be analyzed, said the judge, referring to the justice system.

"In this case, it did not benefit him," he said.