Donald Trump sentenced to 'unconditional release': No sanctions

(Patria) - Newly elected US President Donald Trump was sentenced today in a New York courtroom for falsifying business documents. He was sentenced to unconditional release.

Judge Juan Merchan had previously indicated that he would not send Trump to jail and that there would be no probation or fine, writes the BBC.

Merchan told the court that he determined that unconditional release was "the only lawful sentence, without infringing on the highest office in the country".

"Unconditional release" means that Trump is not facing a fine, probation, or jail time.

Trump and his lawyer are present in the courtroom via video link, reports the BBC correspondent.

Before the sentence was handed down, the judge asked Trump if he wished to address those present, to which he replied affirmatively.

He said it was a "terrible experience", that the case was "brought against him to prevent him from winning the election again, and stressed that in November he won not only the electoral votes but also the popular vote.

"I would like to explain that I have been treated very, very unfairly and thank you very much," Trump told Judge Merchan.

This was the first time Trump had spoken during the trial.

Judge Merchan explained why he was imposing an unconditional release sentence on Trump and why he had previously stated this.

"Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and extraordinary set of circumstances," Merchan said, calling it a "truly exceptional case".

He said the trial was paradoxical – because it attracted great media attention outside the courtroom, but once the courtroom doors were closed, it was no different from any other case that was proceeding at the same time.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said that Trump had conducted a coordinated campaign to undermine the entire case throughout the process and had knowingly fostered contempt for "our justice system".

Trump's lawyer said it was a sad day for America, and that "most Americans agree with Trump that this case should never have gone to court".