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Kayla Epstein
Reporting from New York

Donald Trump’s tried-and-tested tactic of legal delay has given him another reprieve, this time in his New York criminal trial.

Both prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers convinced a judge that they needed more time to weigh the “unprecedented circumstances” before making a decision on his sentencing.

Trump’s re-election changed everything for his legal battles. It is almost certain that his two federal trials will end once he assumes the presidency – and control of the US Justice Department. His trial for interfering in Georgia’s state elections will be put on hold until he leaves office in 2029.

Now he may be one step closer to disposing of the only case that made it to a jury.

Even the Manhattan prosecutors who brought the charges acknowledged they needed time to consider their next steps; They have asked Judge Juan Merchan to submit their opinion by November 19th.

Trump’s lawyers are using his election to push even harder for a dismissal.

“The suspension and dismissal are necessary to prevent unconstitutional impairment of President Trump’s ability to govern,” attorney Emil Bove wrote to the court.

Some legal experts find it difficult to imagine Trump being convicted before he takes office.

“I think the most likely outcome in the federal case is that the judge postpones sentencing until after Trump is in office,” said Daniel Charles Richman, a professor at Columbia Law School.

“Actually imposing a penalty would raise a lot of thorny questions in the short term,” including political ones, he said.