Attorneys for Hunter Biden on Tuesday withdrew their bid for a new trial in his federal gun case, conceding in court papers that a motion they filed last month misunderstood a technicality in the district court’s capacity to carry out a trial.
Hunter Biden’s legal team had argued in a filing last month that his “convictions should be vacated” because trial commenced before a circuit court formally issued a mandate denying one of his many pretrial appeals — an argument disputing not the merits of the case, but the mechanics of the trial.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty in June on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs.
Special counsel David Weiss, who brought the charges, said Hunter Biden’s bid for a new trial was “meritless and is based on his apparent misunderstanding of appellate practice” in calling for the judge to deny the motion.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, departs from a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House on July 3, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE
Hunter Biden’s team withdrew their motion on Tuesday before Judge Maryellen Noreika had a chance to weigh in. They acknowledged that the appellate court issued a certified order instead of the formal mandate, rendering their motion moot.
“As it appears that the Third Circuit views issuing a certified order ‘in lieu’ of a mandate, Mr. Biden withdraws his motion,” they wrote.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has decided not to pursue a new trial in his federal gun case. This decision comes after a judge denied his request to dismiss the charges against him.
The case against Hunter Biden stems from an incident in 2018 where he allegedly lied on a background check form when purchasing a firearm. He was later accused of illegally possessing a firearm due to his history of drug use.
Despite initially pleading not guilty to the charges, Hunter Biden recently changed his tune and decided to plead guilty to the false statement charge. This decision was likely influenced by the fact that he faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted at trial.
While some may see this as a case of privilege or special treatment due to his father’s position as President, it is important to note that Hunter Biden is not receiving any preferential treatment in this case. He is still facing consequences for his actions, as evidenced by his guilty plea.
This case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their family connections or social status. It also highlights the importance of being truthful on background check forms when purchasing firearms, as lying can have serious legal consequences.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see what penalties Hunter Biden will face for his actions. It is likely that he will receive a sentence that includes probation and possibly community service, rather than jail time. Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who may be tempted to bend the rules when it comes to firearms laws.
