DONALD Trump has appealed the guilty verdict over his hush money trial that made him the first convicted criminal to become president.
The legal team recently hired by him initiated the appeals procedure on Wednesday and requested the dismissal of the accusations related to the secret payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
In a groundbreaking legal matter, Trump was convicted in May on 34 criminal charges for manipulating business records to unlawfully impact an election.
Prosecutors said that Trump paid out $420,000 to buy Daniel’s silence on an alleged tryst ahead of his 2016 presidential campaign.
This came after Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, already admitted to playing a key role in disguising payments to Daniels as legal fees.
Despite this verdict, Trump has strongly criticized the allegations as unfounded, with his new legal representatives asserting that the trial is establishing a concerning standard for legal proceedings in New York.
Trump has hired a five-attorney team for his appeal.
He’s now being represented by the white-shoe firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and Robert J. Giuffra Jr., who previously clerked on the Supreme Court, will spearhead his case.
Defense lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove previously represented Trump, but they’ve both been appointed to top Justice Department positions in the new administration.
After filing the notice, Giuffra said, through a spokesperson, “President Donald J Trump’s appeal is important for the rule of law, New York’s reputation as a global business, financial and legal center, as well as for the presidency and all public officials.
“The misuse of the criminal law by the Manhattan DA to target President Trump sets a dangerous precedent, and we look forward to the case being dismissed on appeal.”
Trump has fought a raft of criminal allegations since becoming president in 2016, but the hush money case was the only one that struck.
However, even after a guilty verdict, Judge Juan Merchan avoided punishment, handing Trump an unconditional discharge sentence instead.
In his remote sentencing earlier this month, Trump blasted Merchan for being an “embarrassment” to the legal system.
He had repeatedly tried to overturn the decision and delay sentencing until after his presidency ended, but the judge refused to budge.
“I got indicted over calling a legal expense a legal expense,” said Trump, who has maintained his innocence throughout proceedings.
“I just want to say I think it’s an embarrassment to New York, and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a great embarrassment.”
The Manhattan DA’s office now has an opportunity to respond to Trump’s appeal, and Trump’s legal team will be able to explain exactly why they believe the decision should be thrown out.
LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES
Trump’s previous defense lawyer had argued that the conviction should be overturned on presidential immunity grounds, but Merchan rejected that argument.
The president is accused of paying off Daniels to cover up a sexual encounter they had in 2006, right after he had married Melania.
However, Trump claims that the two were never sexually involved.
His lawyers argued that any efforts to silence Daniels’ allegations were done to protect the Trump family, not his campaign.
Because the case was tried in the state court system, Trump cannot pardon himself, as pardons only apply to federal charges.
What is unconditional discharge sentence?
DONALD Trump will be sentenced today after he was convicted of falsifying business documents. Trump will appear virtually and is expected to be sentenced to unconditional discharge.
But what does this mean?
- Trump will have a conviction on his record.
- He will not serve any jail time or probation.
- He will not have to pay a fine.
- Trump will have the right to appeal the conviction.
Judge Juan Merchan, who is the judge presiding over the case, concluded in his opinion that “unconditional discharge” would be the most appropriate sentence because it allows the case to be wrapped up.,
Unconditional discharge is one of the most lenient sentences a judge can give.
Trump will not have to meet any conditions as part of his sentencing.
This is different from a conditional discharge sentence.
