NY sentencing: Judge in President-elect Donald Trump hush money case expected to sentence him to ‘unconditional discharge’ [Video]

The judge in President-elect Donald Trump’s New York criminal hush money case indicated Friday that he intends to sentence Trump to an “unconditional discharge” out of respect for the presidential immunity doctrine.

Judge Juan Merchan, in his ruling Friday, called it the “most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.”

Merchan ordered Trump to appear, either in person or virtually, for sentencing on Jan. 10.

Trump was found guilty this past May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Trump faces the possibility of up to four years in prison for his conviction, though most legal experts believe he is more likely to receive a lighter sentence.

Merchan, in …