Hunter Biden’s plea deal on hold after federal judge raises concerns over the terms of the agreement

AP ^ | July 26, 2023 | CLAUDIA LAUER, RANDALL CHASE and COLLEEN LONG

[McGruff]

The plea deal in Hunter Biden’s criminal case unraveled during a court hearing Wednesday after a federal judge raised concerns about the terms of the agreement that has infuriated Republicans who believe the president’s son is getting preferential treatment.

U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, raised multiple concerns about the specifics of the deal and her role in the proceedings. The plan also included an agreement on a separate gun charge — Biden has been accused of possessing a firearm in 2018 as a drug user. As long as he adhered to the terms of his agreement, the gun case was to be be wiped from his record. Otherwise, the felony charge carries 10 years in prison.

The overlapping agreements created confusion for the judge, who said the lawyers needed to untangle technical issues — including over her role in enforcing the gun agreement — before moving forward.

“It seems to me like you are saying ‘just rubber stamp the agreement, Your Honor.’ … This seems to me to be form over substance,” she said.

[McGruff]

The AP's take on today's events.

[aynrandfreak]

They’re better at choreography than Paula Abdul!

[nomorelurker]

“The overlapping agreements created confusion for the judge, who said the lawyers needed to untangle technical issues — including over her role in enforcing the gun agreement — before moving forward.”

Interesting. Was this deal set up so that the Judge would have little or no role or even authority in enforcing the terms of probation?

[norwaypinesavage]

"The plea deal was meant to clear the air for Hunter Biden and avert a trial that would have generated weeks or months of distracting headlines."

Distracting?? Only to resident Biden's political campaign. The AP doesn't seem to be worried about such 'distractions' to President Trump's campaign.

[fhayek]

The plea deal Hunter thought he was getting:

We will give you a sweetheart plea deal on the tax chargers, only if:

You accept the sweetheart plea deal on the gun charges,

AND

You accept the blanket sweetheart blanket immunity on EVERYTHING that you might have done from 2019 and earlier.

And let this be a lesson to you!

[griswold3]

Removes any moral authority/credibility from Joe Biden on Taxing the Rich and Gun Control

[Williams]

Trump judge. Good. All the things the bastards are doing to Trump, F em!
That’s the checks and balances.
A blind man could see the Hunter deal is corruption with the evidence he has on his father.

[Yo-Yo]

"How could Hunter's legal team let this happen?"

Hunter's legal team:

[Liz]

The new “Conditions of Release” for Hunter Biden have just hit the docket, signed by Judge Maryellen Noreika, who shelved Hunter’s plea deal today

If Hunter does NOT comply with any part of the order, he could be immediately arrested

HUNTER IS REQUIRED TO:

1) NOT possess a firearm 2) NOT use or possess any controlled substances (including marijuana) unless prescribed 3) Submit to full federal supervision 4) NO use of alcohol AT ALL 5) Seek active employment 6) Submit to testing for prohibited substances 7) Participate in substance abuse therapy

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING COULD INCLUDE:

1) Immediate issuance of an arrest warrant 2) Revocation of release 3) Forfeiture of bond 4) Prosecution for contempt of court

[rottndog]

This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department...

That's some funny s#!t right there...

[ncalburt]

Its not what you think .

The judge is concerned that old Hunter Deal is Not Good enough .
She wants to protect him from Future Prosecution.j