The judge in Hunter Biden’s case will decide what punishment to impose. But she is not bound by federal sentencing guidelines. Biden faces up to 25 years in prison for lying on a federal gun purchase form and possessing a firearm while using illegal drugs. But he will likely get far less time than that as a first-time offender.
What’s next for the Hunter Biden family?
For the first time in American history, the son of a sitting president has been convicted by American jurors. Hunter Biden was found guilty on Tuesday of lying on federal forms when he purchased a gun in 2018. He faces up to 25 years in prison, but as a first-time offender he is unlikely to receive the maximum sentence.
The three charges he faced involved his purchase and possession of a Colt Cobra.38 revolver in Delaware in 2018 and his failure to disclose that he was using drugs when he completed the federal form. Prosecutors argued that Biden was in the throes of drug addiction when he bought the gun and that he should have checked “yes” to the question about whether he was an illegal user of or addicted to drugs.
During closing arguments, prosecutor David Weiss said the case showed that no one is above the law. The judge will set a date for sentencing, which could happen within 120 days of conviction.
As he left court with his stepmother and wife, Biden did not speak to reporters, but he was seen hugging and kissing family members as he walked out of the Delaware courthouse. He is scheduled to speak at an event later Tuesday hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and will likely discuss the gun-reform legislation that passed two years ago after mass shootings in New York and Texas.
Will the Bidens appeal?
A jury has found Hunter Biden guilty on federal gun charges, but his legal woes are far from over. The judge in his case hasn’t yet set a sentencing date.
The case against the president’s son stems from a gun that he bought in 2018 while, prosecutors allege, he was still using illegal drugs. But in their closing arguments, defense lawyers made the argument that prosecutors did not meet the high burden of proof needed to convict him. Defense lawyer Abbe Lowell said prosecutors did not show that Biden knew that his use of illegal drugs was prohibited when he purchased the gun. Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison for each of the three felony counts, but he is likely to get far less as a first-time offender. In addition to prison, the judge could decide to give him probation or home detention.
Regardless, the conviction will be scrutinized by Republicans. Many have accused special counsel David Weiss of pursuing political retribution against members of the president’s family, and the conviction will only make that case more difficult to defend.
For now, the Bidens are focusing on recovery and healing, and President Biden is expected to talk about gun safety at an event hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund on Tuesday afternoon. He is also scheduled to discuss the historic gun-reform legislation passed last year.
Will the Bidens seek a pardon?
Regardless of whether the Bidens decide to appeal, they will have to deal with a conviction. If prosecutors believe there is sufficient evidence, Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison. However, because he is a first-time offender, the judge in his case is not bound by federal sentencing guidelines and may choose to give him much less time behind bars.
The case against his son comes at a time of intense public pressure for President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection in a deeply divided nation. He faces an opponent who has promised to destroy American democracy and a public that is quick to highlight any slip or misstep by the 81-year-old president.
Adding to the strain is the fact that his younger son, Beau, has been fighting brain cancer since early last year. It is a battle that has left the family with deep grief and has sometimes overshadowed the vice president?s public appearances.
The conviction of his son could further damage the image of the Bidens, particularly as Republicans press ahead with their stalled investigation into the president?s ties to foreign business interests. The party has been using the inquiry to raise money and has accused Weiss of weaponizing the Justice Department against the president?s political opponents. A Republican strategist who asked not to be named said the verdict might take some wind out of the sails of those arguments.
Will the Bidens accept the verdict?
The verdict marks the first time a child of a sitting president has been convicted in federal court. The trial featured testimony from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, former girlfriend and sister-in-law about his spiraling addiction, as well as text messages, photos and bank records. Prosecutor Leo Wise said the evidence proved that Biden was in the throes of addiction when he purchased the gun and lied on a government screening form by checking “no” to being a drug user.
The Bidens have ruled out pardoning their son. The White House has also ruled out any changes to the country’s strict firearm laws. The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. But first-time offenders often receive far less.
Earlier Tuesday, a judge rejected a bid by the defense team to delay the case. Judge Maryellen Noreika says she expects to hear a sentencing recommendation from the probation office by late September. For more news, click here at usapapers.com.
One male juror who spoke to CNN after the verdict was read said the panel was split over whether to convict or not. He added that he thought prosecutors proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The other 11 jurors agreed on a guilty verdict. They could face up to 25 years in prison, although first-time offenders generally get far less. Noreika commended the jury for carrying out their civic duties.
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