Subject: Re: Why didn't judge Merchan impose a fine?
While he's in office, the court clearly can't (based on discussions we had a few years ago). But in four years, they can. If the convict pays the fine, it's over. If not, it just piles up until the court has that power again (in 2029).

I'd be surprised if it works that way, under the NY Penal Code. I would expect that if the court does impose a fine, it will continue to have power over Trump until he pays it. There's probably not a mechanism for Merchan to dispossess himself of that power and jurisdiction. If he imposes a sentence that doesn't automatically conclude in the next ten days, then he has to be giving himself power over Trump on an ongoing basis.

If he did that, there's a good chance he loses the vote at the SCOTUS over whether he retains the power to sentence at all - which is probably why he announced ahead of time that this would be his sentence.