More from the article:

In order to decide upon a sentence, judges need flexibility and a variety of options to deal with the particular defendant and particular survivors in front of them.

Trump's case illustrates that well. His case practically screams that judges need to examine the facts of the case and the defendant before them. He is a very particular defendant"the current presidential candidate of a major political party and a former president, a person with no prior criminal convictions but with civil judgments in related cases, and a history of noncompliance with previous court orders. Those impacted are also unusual"not one person, but the residents of New York, who the jury found Trump deceived by falsifying business records to aid his image during an election.

The judge must consider many things: What actions could Trump take to make it up to these deceived residents? Is that even possible? And are there things the judge could do to make it less likely that Trump will commit a similar offense again? Those could range from more restorative options, like counseling, to "specific deterrence," in which the sentence is so onerous that Trump would think twice before doing it again.

"in which the sentence is so onerous that Trump would think twice before doing it again."

Yeah, sure. How about 10 years with no possibility of parole? That should be just about right.

LAMP

Falsifying business records isn't the crime of the century, so in spite of Trump's violations of the gag orders which should be added to the sentencing, my guess is he's going to appeal the verdict, not the sentencing. That will put everything on a long hold until after the election.

LAMP

"2) OK, if he manages to delay this case until after the election, it is a NY State case, not a Federal case, so it would likely continue after the election?

If he loses, yes of course.

If he wins, that is a conundrum. I don't know. We're in uncharted territory.

Just to prepare ourselves for any disappoint we may suffer as the result of Judge Merchan's decision, the last segment of the article is a must read:

Everyone deserves the same chance as Trump

To give more people facing sentences the options that Trump has, New York should pass the Ending Mandatory Minimums Act. This legislation would not take prison off the table entirely for the offenses that now require it; it simply would not mandate it.

With the passage of the Ending Mandatory Minimums Act, judges would be able to make their determinations based on the same factors that Trump's judge will, including whether prison is necessary for the protection of others and what sentence fits the interests of justice. Some people facing mandatory minimums would, no doubt, still be sentenced to prison, as Trump himself may or may not be. But by removing the certainty of prison in each instance, New York would take an important step toward treating people going through the justice system with fairness and equity"and New Yorkers would be the better for it.

I have to question if what's good for the State of New York is more important than what's good for the country . . . of, better yet, what would be a benefit to the world who is watching the trials and tribulations of Donald Trump closely in fear for themselves.

VISITOR @ #10

Minimize much? LOL

"Trump should be thankful he's going to prison this time."

I wouldn't count on that, TOR. Since Trump doesn't have any prior felony conviction in the State of New York, the Mandatory Minimum of 4 months will not apply to him.

Plus he still has the option of appealing the verdict to delay the sentencing if that's the way his attorneys plan to go. Even if they don't, the judge has to consider the fact that a prison sentence would be election interference. Somehow I get the feeling that Judge Merchan wouldn't go that far.
.

CHUFFY @ #17

"Remand him to custody while he appeals the verdict."

He'd have to be a flight risk or a danger to the community . . . or himself . . . before Judge Merchan could remand him.

As much as we'd all enjoy the TV coverage, it ain't gonna happen.

Re the gag orders (I think there were 11 violation) I recall Judge Merchan saying that he would handle that during the sentencing. At $5,000 per that would be a $55,000 fine which is separate from the other verdict and probably not subject to appeal.

Blame it on the election but I don't think we're going to be happy with Judge Merchan's decision. I suppose the Judge could set some strict probation rules with a jail sentence hanging over Trump's head. We all know Trump has no respect for rules, so he could still end up in jail after he loses the election, especially if one of the rules is he can't talk about the case not even in the abstract.

Trump's campaign just announced that they're going to spend a hundred million dollars on ad in three swing states. That made me wonder if Trump is substituting TV ads in lieu of rallies.

There's still something fishy about Trump staying house-bound while Kamila is eating his lunch all over the country. The Harris campaign is claiming now that even North Carolina is in play.

DONNER

I'd have to study on that. But it does seem to me that there can't be a sentencing until after the appeal of the verdict is settled and his attorney still has time to go that route if that's the plan. I just remember hearing Trump's attorney talking about their plan to appeal the verdict, not the sentence.

"They would have done it by now."

Not necessarily. Waiting until the last minute to file an appeal is the same thing as buying time, which is what Trump needs to beat the clock 'til November 5.

TAO @ #21

Has somebody really important and respected in North Carolina endorsed Harris recently?

CHUFFY

"Drumpfty gets special treatment"

I don't get the impression Judge Merchan can be swayed by stardom. But if you read the article, you'd understand why the Judge's decision may be a disappointment. And may even appear too lenient considering how anxious we are to see Trump behind bars.

I hope the Judge can come up with a work-around sentence to avoid a charge of election interference. The fact that Trump is a presidential candidate is probably the only thing that prevents Judge Merchan from teaching Trump the lesson he so richly deserves.

But not this time. Falsifying business records isn't the case. Be patient. When Trump loses the election Jack Smith, Alvin Brag, Fani Willis and Letitia James are waiting for him and that's when things will get serious.

DONNER

It does make some kind of sense that a verdict can't be appealed until the entire case has been officially adjudicated, including the sentencing. It just didn't make any sense to me that a court would go through the sentencing process if the verdict itself was under appeal.

I bow in respect to your superiority in this debate.

DONNER

I do try to be a gentlelady when I'm wrong. I find that to be a strength of character rather than a weakness.