Fox News reported that Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, intends to change his plea to guilty on federal tax charges.
This shift comes as a surprise to federal prosecutors and raises questions about the potential consequences for the younger Biden. Speaking on the "Outnumbered" program, constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley criticized Hunter Biden's legal strategy.
Turley argued that the decision to plead guilty at this late stage has put Biden in a disadvantageous position, likening it to waiting until the last moment to seek help on a sinking ship.
Turley expressed his bewilderment at Hunter Biden's approach to the case. He pointed out that many legal experts had been advising Biden to plead guilty for months, emphasizing that early plea deals often result in more favorable terms for defendants.
The legal expert drew a vivid analogy to illustrate his point:
Well, it's not uncommon to see plea deals occur before trials. But in this case, many of us have been writing for months that Hunter Biden was perfectly insane not to plead guilty. Timing is important. You can get a better deal if you plead early rather than late. It's sort of like waiting for the water to reach the deck on the Titanic before you ask about swimming lessons.
Turley's comments suggest that Biden's delay in pleading guilty may have significant consequences, potentially leading to a harsher sentence than if he had made this decision earlier in the legal process.
The timing of Hunter Biden's decision to change his plea has raised eyebrows among legal observers. Turley noted that this late-stage shift leaves Biden with little leverage in negotiations with prosecutors.
According to Turley, the decision to plead guilty just before the trial is set to begin severely limits Biden's bargaining power. This assessment suggests that Hunter Biden may face more severe consequences than he might have if he had opted for a guilty plea earlier in the proceedings.
While Hunter Biden's legal team has indicated their intention to change the plea, the situation remains fluid. A source familiar with the special counsel's team informed Fox News Digital that this is not yet a finalized deal but rather an offer from the defense.
The development comes amidst reports that Biden's lawyers were preparing to argue that he was too intoxicated to pay his taxes. This shift in strategy, coupled with the last-minute nature of the plea change, has created a complex legal situation.
Turley's analysis suggests that Hunter Biden's legal maneuvers have backfired, potentially resulting in a worse outcome than if he had pursued a different strategy from the outset. The legal expert's prediction of likely jail time for Biden underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential consequences of the delayed guilty plea.
Hunter Biden's decision to change his plea to guilty in the federal tax case appears to be a significant shift in strategy, coming late in the process. Legal expert Jonathan Turley suggests this late plea may result in less favorable terms for Biden, likening it to "waiting for the water to reach the deck on the Titanic before you ask about swimming lessons."
The development follows reports that Biden's lawyers were preparing to argue he was too intoxicated to pay his taxes, indicating a potential change in defense tactics. While this guilty plea offer has been made by the defense, it's not yet a done deal, and the eventual outcome and sentencing remain to be seen.
