A federal appeals court panel has denied Hunter Biden‘s attempt to have criminal gun charges against him dismissed, paving the way for his trial scheduled to begin on June 3.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia ruled that Hunter Biden couldn’t appeal as the lower court had not issued a final judgment in the case.
Shortly after the appeals court’s decision, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika set the trial to last up to six days and begin on June 3 in Wilmington, Delaware. Hunter Biden’s legal team intends to seek a review of the panel’s ruling by the full appeals court.
Hunter Biden faces accusations of lying about his drug use when purchasing a handgun in 2018, as well as illegal possession of the weapon.
His lawyers had argued that the trial court should wait for the federal appeals court’s decision before proceeding with the trial.
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. This trial occurs as Joe Biden continues his reelection campaign while facing ongoing legal challenges involving his family.
Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York for allegedly covering up a payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Hunter Biden faces separate criminal tax charges in California.
Despite the legal battles surrounding him, Hunter Biden’s trial marks a significant event as the first trial for the child of a sitting president, adding to the political complexity of the situation.
