What's next for Hunter Biden in federal gun case
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Hunter Biden leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 6 in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Hunter Biden's historic conviction in a federal gun trial Tuesday sets the stage for new political and legal challenges for the Biden family.
Why it matters: The case has made Hunter Biden the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime, and will continue to play out — and weigh on President Biden — as his campaign for a second White House term enters its final months.
- Adding to the challenges are Hunter Biden's separate trial in California on tax charges this fall.
When will he be sentenced?
Following his conviction in Delaware, Hunter Biden will sit for an interview with a probation officer, who will question him about his past and the circumstances of his conviction, Politico reported.
- That will be followed by sentencing, though the date has not yet been set.
- U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika — who oversaw the trial — noted on Tuesday that sentencing typically occurs within 120 days of conviction, Reuters reported.
Could he go to prison?
After being found guilty on all three felony gun charges he faced, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison.
- But as a first-time offender, he's unlikely to receive the maximum sentence.
- President Biden said Tuesday that he would accept the outcome of the case. He previously ruled out a pardon for his son.
Zoom in: Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell said Tuesday that the legal team would "continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available," though it's unclear at this point what the grounds for appeal would be, per AP.
Other legal troubles
Complicating matters for Hunter Biden is the fact that the federal gun case isn't the only legal battle he's facing.
- Special counsel David Weiss, who brought the gun charges against Hunter Biden, has also brought a tax crimes case against the president's son in California.
- Hunter Biden stands accused of carrying out a four-year scheme to avoid paying taxes. He pleaded not guilty earlier this year.
- In April, a federal judge rejected Hunter Biden's request to dismiss the charges. The trial is set to begin on Sept. 5.
