Hunter Biden arraignment highlights: President’s son enters not guilty plea

The arraignment has concluded.

The judge went over the conditions of Hunter Biden's release and said he discussed them with the probation officer.

The conditions of release include supervision by a U.S. probation officer in the Central District of California, actively seeking employment, not possessing a gun, not using alcohol, not using drugs and submitting to drug testing if required by the probation office. He would also have to participate in substance abuse counseling if the probation office requires it.

The president's son has pleaded not guilty in federal court to the following counts:

• Count 1: False statement in purchase of a firearm
• Count 2: False Statement Related to Information Required to be Kept by Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer
• Count 3: Possession of a Firearm by a Person who is an Unlawful User of or Addicted to a Controlled Substance

“Mr. Biden pleads not guilty,” said his lawyer, Abbe Lowell.

The judge said he wants to make sure that Hunter Biden is aware of the charges he faces and he answered affirmatively.

Abbe Lowell, Biden's lawyer, waived the reading of the indictment.

The judge explained to Hunter Biden that he was in the courtroom for his initial appearance on new charges.

The judge said he would review the charges, talk about maximum penalties, go over his rights, conditions of pre-trial release and the arraignment. 

"Charges were brought — as the parties know — by a federal grand jury in district," the judge says. 

The president's son is expected to plead not guilty to three gun-related charges during his arraignment this morning at a federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware.

The charges consist of false statement in purchase of a firearm, false statement related to information required to be kept by federal firearms licensed dealer, and possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Two of the counts carry maximum prison sentences of 10 years, while the third has a maximum of five years. Any sentence is likely to be served concurrently. Each count also carries fines up to $250,000.

In October 2018, Hunter Biden allegedly lied about his drug use while completing forms to buy a Colt Cobra revolver in Wilmington.

Hunter Biden initially struck a plea deal, agreeing to plead guilty to two tax-related charges. But that agreement fell apart in July when U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned the terms of the agreement.

Hunter Biden's hearing in Wilmington is expected to last about 30 minutes.

After passing through security at the federal courthouse, he will pass a portrait of his father, President Joe Biden, before meeting U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke, who is presiding over the hearing.

Hunter Biden lost a bid last month to appear virtually at his arraignment, with Burke writing: “Defendant should not receive special treatment in this matter — absent some unusual circumstance, he should be treated just as would any other defendant in our Court. Any other defendant would be required to attend his or her initial appearance in person. So too here.”

Burke, a fast-talking, 12-year veteran of the bench, previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Delaware.

Biden will be joined by members of his legal team, including attorneys Abbe Lowell and Richard I.G. Jones.

Special counsel David Weiss of Delaware, another Trump appointee, who initially reached a deal that unraveled with Biden's team this summer, is representing the Justice Department along with three assistant U.S. attorneys, Leo Wise, Derek Hines and Ben Wallace.

The arraignment for Hunter Biden has begun in federal court in Wilmington, Del., before Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke.

Hunter Biden entered the courtroom a few minutes before 10 a.m. ET. He and his legal team are seated at the defense table and did not talk with prosecutors as they entered.