Trump's attorneys seek immediate dismissal of hush money case conviction

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, had proposed on Tuesday that Trump's attorneys file his motion “promptly” and that prosecutors should respond by Dec. 9.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: November 20, 2024 3:06pm

Updated: November 20, 2024 3:23pm

President-elect Trump’s attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, are requesting immediate dismissal of former President Trump's criminal conviction in the New York hush money case.

"Immediate dismissal of this case is mandated by the federal Constitution, the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, and the interest of justice, in order to facilitate the orderly transition of Executive power following President Trump's overwhelming victory in the 2024 Presidential election," the lawyers wrote in a filing on Wednesday.

The attorneys argued Trump can't be sentenced as president-elect or president.

They asked permission from Judge Juan Merchan to wait until December 20 before filing a longer brief to dismiss the conviction in an apparent effort to run out the clock.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, had proposed on Tuesday that Trump's attorneys file a formal motion “promptly” and that prosecutors should respond by Dec. 9.

Bragg said on Tuesday that is open to freezing the proceedings but encouraged Merchan to operate quickly to resolve the situation.