Hunter Biden expected to plead not guilty on felony gun charges

2025-04-20 11:06:37 source: category:My

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden is expected to enter a plea of not guilty when he is arraigned on federal gun charges, his attorney wrote in court filings Tuesday.

It's the first official indication of the younger Biden's plans to fight the charges against him following his indictment last week.

He was indicted last Thursday by special counsel David Weiss on charges that he lied on a federal form when he said he was drug-free at the time that he purchased a Colt revolver in October 2018.

MORE: Hunter Biden indicted by special counsel on felony gun charges

Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Biden, filed court papers on Tuesday seeking to have his client's initial appearance in a Delaware court take place via video conference instead of in person, in order to limit what he called "the financial impact on government resources and the logistical burden on the downtown area of Wilmington."

"No matter whether in person or virtual ... Mr. Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference," Lowell wrote.

Noting that virtual court appearances became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lowell argued in the filing that "neither Mr. Biden nor the government would be prejudiced by an initial appearance conducted via video conference."

Hunter Biden leaves after a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del.Julio Cortez/AP, FILE

Prosecutors have opposed a virtual arraignment, according to a magistrate judge's order on Monday.

Lowell called the government's position "puzzling because Mr. Biden is not asking for special treatment with this request, as individuals without the additional considerations described herein regularly make such appearances by video."

After a plea deal between federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden fell apart in July following a five-year probe, prosecutors said in court filings last month that they also intend to bring misdemeanor tax charges against Hunter Biden in California and Washington, D.C.

More:My

Recommend

US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards

An appeals court in Louisiana has ruled that Nasdaq can’t require diversity on the boards of compani

One dead, 7 missing after 2 Japanese navy choppers crash in Pacific

Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Toky

Sharks do react to blood in the water. But as a CBS News producer found out, it's not how he assumed.

CBS News climate producer Chris Spinder swam with sharks for a "CBS Mornings" story about protecting