A New York judge has granted Donald Trump permission to seek dismissal of the criminal case in which he was convicted in May of 34 felony counts related to hush money paid to an adult film actress, following his victory in the November 5 US presidential election.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan formally delayed Trump's sentencing, which was scheduled for next Tuesday. Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office requested Merchan to defer all proceedings until after Trump, 78, completes his four-year presidential term beginning on January 20.
Trump's lawyers, representing the Republican, argued that the case should be dismissed as it would create 'unconstitutional impediments' to his ability to govern. Bragg's office opposed dismissal but agreed that Trump should be given time to present his case through written motions.
Merchan set a December 2 deadline for Trump to file his motion to dismiss, with prosecutors given until December 9 to respond. No new sentencing date was set, nor was there an indication of how long proceedings would be on hold or when Merchan would rule on Trump's motion.
The case originated from a $130,000 payment made by Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to maintain her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed to have had with Trump a decade earlier, which he denies. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up Cohen's reimbursement.
This marks the first time a U.S. president, former or sitting, has been convicted or charged with a criminal offense. Trump pleaded not guilty and has characterized the case as a politically motivated attempt by Bragg, a Democrat, to interfere with his campaign.
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