In a stunning turn of events, Hunter Biden has changed his plea to guilty in his $1.4 million tax evasion trial in Los Angeles.

According to Daily Mail Online, the president's son made this unexpected decision as jury selection was set to begin on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The reversal came as a surprise to prosecutors, who stated they were hearing of this change for the first time in court. Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, informed Judge Mark Scarsi of the decision while 120 potential jurors waited for trial selection.

Last-Minute Change In Legal Strategy

Hunter Biden's legal team cited legal precedents suggesting that by pleading guilty, the judge would have to decide on the facts of the case rather than a jury. They also stated that the judge could only use material already filed in the case.

The prosecution, led by Leo Wise, requested time to review the legal cases cited by Lowell. Judge Scarsi granted a recess until 11 am PDT to allow both parties to prepare their responses to this unexpected development.

It remains unclear whether Hunter Biden intends to plead guilty to all nine charges, including three felonies, or just some of them. His lead attorney, Mark Geragos, told reporters outside the courtroom that they would "have to wait and see" what happens next.

Speculations On Motivations Behind Plea

Legal experts have speculated on the reasons behind this sudden change in strategy. Some suggest it could be an attempt to avoid a public trial that would likely air damaging and embarrassing evidence.

Others theorize that it might be part of a broader political strategy. Samuel Dewey, a former congressional chief counsel, told the Daily Mail that the change of plea could be part of a political pact to protect potentially damaging information about President Joe Biden from being made public.

Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, told the court:

I think this can be resolved today... It's not like it's a very complicated issue. I will provide both the court and counsel for the government every case that addresses this.

Potential Sentencing And Trial Avoidance

If Hunter Biden pleads guilty to all counts in his tax crimes case, his sentencing could potentially be scheduled before the end of the year. This would mean avoiding a trial that was set to reveal details of his alleged political corruption and years of drug-fueled behavior.

The maximum sentence for Hunter's tax crimes is 17 years in federal prison and a $750,000 fine. However, it's important to note that the final decision on accepting the guilty plea lies with Judge Scarsi.

Prosecutors indicated before the recess that they might oppose Hunter's plea, preferring to proceed with the trial. Their position may change after researching past legal cases and conferring with Special Counsel David Weiss.

Previous Legal Troubles And Charges

This tax evasion trial marks the second high-profile criminal case for Hunter Biden this year. In June, he faced a humiliating defeat in Delaware, where a jury found him guilty of lying about his crack addiction to buy a gun in 2018.

The current case involves nine crimes, including three felony counts and six misdemeanors, for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and lying on his IRS returns. Prosecutors had planned to present evidence that Hunter spent tens of thousands of dollars on prostitutes, drugs, and luxury items, then deducted them on his tax return as business expenses.

This unexpected plea change has sent shockwaves through the legal and political communities. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the case, Hunter Biden's future, and potentially the broader political landscape.

Awaiting Judge's Decision And Prosecution's Response

As the court reconvenes, all eyes will be on Judge Scarsi's decision and the prosecution's response to this dramatic turn of events. The judge's acceptance or rejection of the guilty plea could significantly alter the course of the trial.

The prosecution team, led by Leo Wise and Derek Hines, who previously secured a conviction against Hunter Biden in the Delaware gun case, will need to quickly adapt their strategy. Their decision to either accept the plea or push for a full trial could have far-reaching implications.

The outcome of this case could potentially impact public perception of the Biden family and may have political repercussions as the 2024 presidential election approaches. As the legal proceedings unfold, the nation watches closely to see how this high-profile case will be resolved.