Former President Donald Trump has been sentenced to unconditional discharge in the high-profile “hush money” case, effectively bringing the matter to a close without imposing jail time or restrictions. The sentence, which includes no punishment beyond the conviction itself, ensures Trump faces no immediate consequences as he continues his campaign for the presidency.

Trump appeared virtually for the sentencing from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, marking the culmination of an extraordinary legal battle that saw a former president and leading presidential candidate face criminal charges in a courtroom for the first time in U.S. history.

The case, tried in Manhattan, was the only one of four criminal indictments against Trump to reach trial. It may also be the only one to do so, given the political and constitutional complexities surrounding prosecuting an incoming president.

Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over the case, had the authority to sentence the 78-year-old Trump to up to four years in prison. However, Merchan handed down a sentence that avoided incarceration or any restrictions. Legal experts suggest the judgment may have been an attempt to sidestep potential constitutional challenges while closing a contentious chapter in the former president’s legal battles.

The decision ensures that Trump will assume the presidency as a convicted felon—a precedent-setting situation in American politics.

The hush money case was one of the most scrutinized legal proceedings in modern history, placing a spotlight on Trump’s alleged payment to silence damaging claims during the 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the conviction, the unconditional discharge leaves Trump free and without legal hindrance.