First son Hunter Biden is expected to plead not guilty to three gun charges in federal court in Delaware Tuesday.

The charges came after a previous plea deal fell through that would have kept the president's son from serving jail time.

US President Joe Biden's son Hunter is to appear in federal court in Delaware and is expected to plead not guilty to charges of illegally possessing a handgunhttps://t.co/mz7BMb56DE

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 3, 2023

The charges

"Biden is charged with two counts of making false statements for claiming on forms required for the gun purchase that he was not using drugs illegally at the time," AFP reported.

"He faces a third charge, based on the same statements, that he illegally possessed the gun -- which he had for only 11 days in October 2018 -- before it was gotten rid of," it added.

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden is expected to plead not guilty on Oct. 3 to lying about his drug use while buying a handgun, in the first-ever criminal prosecution of a sitting US president's child https://t.co/F77Cyg4MlL pic.twitter.com/OZhgXTtcMQ

— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) October 3, 2023

A first

"Hunter Biden, 53, was charged last month by U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss with three counts related to lying on a federal form to acquire a Colt Cobra handgun in 2018 and for being an illegal drug user in possession of the gun," Reuters reported.

"His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a court filing last month that Hunter Biden plans to plead not guilty. That sets the stage for a historic first: The criminal trial of the adult child of a sitting president who is campaigning for reelection," it continued.

Hunter Biden expected to plead not guilty to federal gun charges in court https://t.co/kwKmHRDphn

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 3, 2023

In-person appearance

"His attorneys, who initially requested for the court appearance to take place via video conference, earlier this month, signaled that he would plead not guilty to the charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge from the District of Delaware Christopher Burke rejected Hunter's request, saying he should not receive special treatment," Fox News reported.

"In the end, the Court agrees with both the Defendant and the Government, that 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," Burke stated in a filing earlier this month.

The case moves forward as President Joe Biden also faces an impeachment inquiry in the House allegations of business deals with his son during his years as vice president.

Former President Donald Trump also faces multiple legal battles as seeks a potential rematch against Biden.

The legal efforts for Hunter are expected to continue in the weeks ahead, potentially becoming a factor in his father's campaign for reelection next year.