US President's Son Convicted of Three Felonies
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
felony
Noun
ˈfeləni
a serious crime that can be punished by time in prison
George Floyd's murder in 2020 led to felony charges and the conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin.
prosecutor
Noun
ˈprɑːsəˌkjuːtər
a lawyer who works to prove in court that a person is guilty of a crime
Prosecutor Ken Starr's investigation led to the impeachment of former US President Bill Clinton.
verdict
Noun
ˈvərdɪkt
the final decision in a court of law
The judge asked for silence in the courtroom before announcing the verdict.
sober
Adjective
ˈsoʊbər
not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
After years of battling addiction, Robert Downey Jr. has been sober for over a decade.
judicial
Adjective
dʒuːˈdɪʃəl
relating to a law court or judge
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the United States.
toll
Noun
təʊl
a negative effect of something
The pandemic has taken a toll on frontline workers, especially doctors and police officers.
Article
US President's Son Convicted of Three Felonies
Hunter Biden was convicted on June 11 of three felony charges related to the purchase of a gun in 2018. Prosecutors successfully argued that the US president's son lied on a gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
Jurors found Hunter Biden guilty of lying to a licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden, 54, stared straight ahead and showed little emotion as the verdict was read. He hugged his lawyers and kissed his wife, Melissa, before leaving the courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware.
In a statement after the verdict, President Joe Biden said that he and the first lady, Jill Biden, are proud of their son, who says he has been sober since 2019, and will always be there for him with "love and support." The president also said that he would accept the verdict and "continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal."
Now Hunter Biden and Donald Trump, the president's political rival, have both been convicted in an election year that has been as much about the courtroom as about the campaign trail.
Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he would not get anywhere near the maximum, and there's no guarantee that US District Judge Maryellen Noreika will send him to prison. No sentencing date has been set.
Defense lawyer Abbe Lowell said they would "pursue all the legal challenges available."
In a written statement, Hunter Biden said he was disappointed by the outcome but grateful for the support of family and friends.
Joe Biden stayed away from the federal courtroom where his son was tried and said little about the case, careful not to appear to interfere in a criminal matter brought by his own Justice Department. However, allies of the Democrat have worried about the toll that the trial — and now the conviction — will take on the 81-year-old, who has long been concerned with his only living son's well-being.
Discussion
1.
What are your thoughts on Hunter Biden's felony convictions?
2.
Do you think this conviction will impact Joe Biden's chances of being re-elected?
3.
Do you think it's likely Hunter Biden will serve time in prison?
4.
What would you consider to be an appropriate punishment for Hunter's crimes?
5.
Do you believe the justice system treats high-profile individuals differently?
