According to New York State law, an unconditional discharge means that Trump will have the felonies on his official record but will not face jail time, fines or probation for his actions. However, it does not mean that the President-elect has been exonerated, since that would mean finding he was not guilty of a crime.

Out of options, Donald Trump faced the one thing he desperately tries to avoid: accountability for wrongdoing.

Donald Trump is set to be sentenced Friday for covering up hush money paid to a porn star, forcing him to revisit his felony conviction just days before he returns to the White House. The unprecedented court hearing is largely a formality.