US prosecutors suggest sparing Trump prison time in hush money case

But they urge judge to deny Trump's request to dismiss the case following guilty verdict

NEW YORK - US prosecutors have suggested to a New York judge the possibility of sparing Donald Trump any prison time for his conviction on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star, in the light of his presidential election victory, but opposed dismissing the case.

In a court filing made public on Dec 10, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg's office urged Justice Juan Merchan to deny the Republican businessman-turned-politician's request to throw out the case so it does not hang over him and impede his ability to govern once he takes office on Jan 20.

Noting that many of Trump's concerns involve the possibility that he could be incarcerated, prosecutors noted that there is no requirement that Justice Merchan sentence him to prison - and said the judge could conclude that presidential immunity from prosecution would require a non-incarceration sentence.

"Such a constitutional limitation on the range of available sentences would further diminish any impact on (the) defendant's presidential decision-making, without going so far as to discard the indictment and jury verdict altogether," prosecutors wrote.

Justice Merchan has not said when he will rule on Trump's bid for dismissal.