Hunter Biden’s lawyer wants an ‘Alford plea.’ What does it mean?

Hunter Biden's criminal tax case took an unexpected turn on Thursday, Sept. 5. Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told a federal judge , right before jury selection, his defendant wished to change his plea to an "Alford plea."

An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict them. If the judge were to accept the plea, Biden would be convicted of the crimes he is charged with in the case.

Lowell said to the judge that there is "no agreement" with prosecutors but one is not required under an Alford plea.

However, prosecutors were reportedly surprised, arguing that they would accept nothing less than a guilty plea.

"This is the first time we've heard of this," prosecutors added.

A last-minute plea deal would allow Biden to avoid a high-profile trial .

Biden previously pleaded not guilty to three felony counts and six misdemeanors connected to at least $1.4 million in unpaid federal taxes from 2016-2019. Prosecutors alleged that Biden purposely avoided paying taxes by rigging his company's own payroll system .

Although Biden eventually paid all his back-taxes and penalties with the help of a third-party , the judge would not allow the defense to use that evidence at trial.

Thursday's court appearance comes months after Biden was convicted on felony charges connected to the purchase of a firearm in 2018 while he was allegedly addicted to drugs. His sentencing for that conviction is set for Nov. 13 .

President Joe Biden has yet to comment on the new developments in the case.

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