New York City, New York – After numerous legal battles, former President Donald Trump’s most prominent criminal case is finally approaching its conclusion. Trump is set to appear in a Manhattan courtroom for sentencing on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to conceal a payment to an adult film star. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, exhausting Trump’s last legal avenue in an attempt to stop the sentencing.

Trump took to Truth Social to express his innocence, labeling the charges as fabricated and part of a political agenda against him. Despite the upcoming sentencing, Trump plans to appeal the conviction and sentence. The hearing comes just ten days before Trump is expected to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.

Judge Juan Merchan indicated that Trump is unlikely to face prison time or probation, with a probable outcome of an “unconditional discharge.” This discharge requires no action on Trump’s part, although the conviction will remain on his record. Prosecutors anticipate a brief hearing, possibly lasting less than an hour, with Trump likely attending virtually.

Legal experts, such as Anna Cominsky from New York Law School, believe that the unconditional discharge is the least restrictive resolution in terms of its impact on Trump as he assumes office. Trump’s legal team is poised to continue appealing the case, a pattern they have maintained throughout the legal proceedings.

Since Trump’s conviction in May, sentencing has been delayed multiple times to avoid perceptions of political bias and to allow Trump to assert immunity based on a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. With these claims denied, the stage is set for the sentencing hearing this week.

The jury in Manhattan state court found Trump guilty on all 34 felony charges in connection to the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels. Despite the conviction, Trump’s political popularity remains strong, as demonstrated by his successful electoral victory during the 2024 presidential election.

In the aftermath of the guilty verdict, Trump’s campaign reported a significant increase in fundraising, reinforcing his ability to mobilize support and financial resources. With nearly half of the nation’s voters backing him in the election, Trump’s legal challenges have not hampered his political standing.