Hunter Biden Expected to Face Jail Time After Guilty Plea in Tax Case

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley believes Hunter Biden, the president's son, is likely to serve time in prison following his guilty plea in a federal tax case.

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley joined "Outnumbered" Thursday to discuss Hunter Biden's decision to plead guilty to federal tax charges brought against him by Special Counsel David Weiss. Turley believes the son of President Joe Biden is now facing the prospect of serving time in prison.

"It's not uncommon to see plea deals occur before trials," said Turley. "But in this case, many of us have been writing for months that Hunter Biden was foolish not to plead guilty."

Hunter Biden Expected to Face Jail Time After Guilty Plea in Tax Case

Turley emphasized the importance of timing in plea deals, noting that defendants who plead early can often secure more favorable outcomes.

"I mean, it's a little bit late for some of those options," said Turley. "And so he really has succeeded in putting himself in the worst possible position."

Hunter Biden Expected to Face Jail Time After Guilty Plea in Tax Case

According to Turley, Hunter Biden's defense team made a major error when they rejected concerns raised by the judge about a "sweetheart deal" offered by the prosecutors. The defense's refusal to cooperate with the prosecution further weakened their position.

"By pleading guilty on the eve of the trial, you don't have much to trade away," said Turley.

Hunter Biden Expected to Face Jail Time After Guilty Plea in Tax Case

Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's attorney, surprised federal prosecutors in court Thursday by announcing his client's intention to plead guilty. Biden initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Federal prosecutor Leo Wise expressed astonishment at the sudden change of plea, stating that it was the "first [they] are hearing about this."

Hunter Biden Expected to Face Jail Time After Guilty Plea in Tax Case

Sources close to the special counsel's team cautioned that Biden's guilty plea is not yet finalized and remains an offer from the defense.

Reports from the New York Post indicate that Hunter Biden's lawyers planned to argue that he was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs when he failed to pay his taxes. However, the Justice Department manual prohibits prosecutors from accepting Alford pleas, which allow defendants to admit guilt while maintaining their innocence, except in exceptional circumstances.

Fox News contributors Brooke Singman, David Spunt, and Brianna Herlihy contributed to this report.