Hunter Biden tax trial begins in days: Could face 17 years in prison

First son Hunter Biden is facing something he doesn't seem to have ever faced in his charmed life: repercussions.

While it appears to be but low hanging fruit of the tree of crimes that the Biden family has been accused of, Hunter is being drug into federal court on charges related to tax fraud and foreign business dealings, as The Daily Caller reported.

Hunter Biden's tax trial begins this week in a California court, where Hunter will find out his fate, should his very important father step in.

Hunter Biden could be sentenced to up to 17 years on nine charges, including three felonies and six misdemeanors, for allegedly not paying over $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019.

The Prosecution

According to prosecutors, he spent his substantial income on an "extravagant lifestyle," including drugs, escorts, girlfriends, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic automobiles, clothing, and other personal stuff, instead of paying taxes.

Prosecutors should have a "slam-dunk case" in this case, as the evidence of guilt is overwhelming, according to John Malcolm, vice president of the Heritage Foundation's Institute for Constitutional Government, who told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“As was also the case with the gun trial, I expect Hunter’s legal team to present a sympathy defense premised on his addiction struggles in an attempt at jury nullification or, at the very least, persuading one juror not to convict which would result in a mistrial,” he said.

This is just the most recent in the long line of legal battles Hunter has faced. The first son has been in the news for his legal issues since before he became the first son.

Case History

Judge Mark Scarsi of the District Court made an order last week that outlines the kind of evidence that can be used in court.

Dr. Joshua Lee, the expert witness Hunter Biden had planned to bring to testify about substance use, the ways addiction shapes behavior, and the "increased risk" that addiction poses as a result of traumatic experiences in life, would not be permitted to testify.

“The deficiencies in Dr. Lee’s expert disclosure and supplemental disclosure leave the Government with insufficient information regarding what Dr. Lee’s opinions about the facts of this case are and the bases for those opinions,” the judge wrote.

Additionally, neither side may bring up the 1972 automobile accident that killed Hunter Biden's mother and sister or his brother Beau Biden's 2015 death as reasons for Hunter's addiction.

From the Judge

“The fact that Mr. Biden was intoxicated or had an addiction during the timeframe charged in the Indictment is relevant to his defense,” the judge wrote.

“But Mr. Biden has not advanced an argument as to why the underlying causes of the addiction are relevant.”