Trump NY Hush-Money Appeal Decision

What this countdown tracks

The clock above counts down to the expected decision by the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division First Department in Donald Trump's appeal of his 34-count felony conviction in People v. Trump — the Manhattan "hush-money" case — anticipated around September 15, 2026. It is the first appellate review of the only criminal trial of a sitting or former US president to result in a felony conviction.

About this case

The Manhattan District Attorney's office, under DA Alvin Bragg, charged Trump in March 2023 with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree under New York Penal Law §175.10. The state's theory was that Trump falsified Trump Organization records to disguise reimbursements to his then-attorney Michael Cohen for a $130,000 hush payment to Stormy Daniels in October 2016, with the intent to commit or conceal another crime — namely, federal election-law violations and state tax-law violations. The trial began in April 2024, and a unanimous jury convicted Trump on all 34 counts on May 30, 2024.

Sentencing was repeatedly delayed. After the November 2024 election and Trump's January 20, 2025 inauguration, Justice Juan Merchan handed down an unconditional discharge — a sentence with no probation, fine, or imprisonment — in January 2025, allowing the appeal to proceed without affecting Trump's presidential duties. The notice of appeal was filed shortly thereafter, with briefing through 2025–2026. The Appellate Division First Department, which sits in Manhattan, will decide the appeal on the briefs and oral argument; petitions to the New York Court of Appeals (the state's highest court) and ultimately the US Supreme Court remain options.

What to expect

Trump's appeal raises three main issues: whether Justice Merchan should have been disqualified, whether the trial-court rulings on presidential-immunity-related evidence violated the Supreme Court's 2024 Trump v. United States immunity holding, and whether the prosecutor's reliance on federal election law as the "second crime" was legally sufficient. The Appellate Division First Department typically issues decisions 4–8 months after oral argument. A decision in mid-to-late 2026 is realistic; further appellate review extends into 2027 and beyond.

Past milestones

• March 30, 2023: Manhattan grand jury indicts Trump.
• April 15 – May 28, 2024: Trial in Justice Merchan's courtroom.
• May 30, 2024: Jury convicts on all 34 counts.
• January 10, 2025: Justice Merchan sentences Trump to unconditional discharge.
• 2025: Notice of appeal filed; briefing schedule set.

How to follow

Filings and decisions publish on the New York courts' E-Courts Appellate eDocketing system. Coverage from the New York Times Trump-on-trial team, the Wall Street Journal Law desk, Reuters Legal, the Associated Press Trump appeals beat, CNN, and CBS News. Just Security and Lawfare publish detailed legal analyses. Hashtag #TrumpAppeal standard.

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FAQ

When is the appellate decision expected? Around September 15, 2026; precise date depends on oral-argument scheduling and panel composition. Where is the appeal heard? New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department, in Manhattan. Why does this case matter? It is the first appellate review of a US president's felony conviction and tests the boundaries of state criminal prosecution of a sitting president. Could this go to the US Supreme Court? Yes — after the Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals, Trump can petition for certiorari to the US Supreme Court, particularly on federal-immunity issues.