Tue Dec 03 23:31:56 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Lawyers Seek Dismissal of Hush Money Conviction
**NEW YORK (December 4, 2024)** — President-elect Donald Trump’s legal team filed a motion on Monday, December 2nd, requesting the dismissal of his hush-money criminal conviction. The filing, made public Tuesday, argues that continuing the case would unconstitutionally disrupt the presidency. The lawyers cited Trump’s recent election victory and the “overwhelming national mandate” he received as reasons for dismissal.
The conviction stems from a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to conceal an alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election. Trump denies any wrongdoing.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, who previously postponed Trump’s sentencing, will consider the motion. Prosecutors have until December 9th to respond and have indicated they will oppose the dismissal, although they may be open to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term concludes in 2029.
A dismissal would remove the criminal record and potential prison sentence hanging over Trump, who is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal elected to the office. Judge Merchan has several options, including upholding the verdict, delaying the case, transferring it to a federal court, or other possibilities. A decision is not yet imminent. Trump’s inauguration is scheduled for January 20th, 2025.
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