For years, Todd and Julie Chrisley were synonymous with luxury, sharp-tongued humor, and tightly controlled family chaos on Chrisley Knows Best.

Their reality TV empire thrived on Southern charm, lavish living, and the promise that family always came first. But behind the polished façade,

a legal storm was quietly building—one that would ultimately dismantle their television dynasty and redefine the Chrisley name forever.

Now, a shocking update surrounding their sentencing, appeals, and the lingering question of a new trial has once again placed Todd and Julie at the center of public debate. As fans struggle to separate the TV personalities they adored from the defendants convicted in federal court, the legal twists continue to spark confusion, outrage, and renewed fascination.

The Convictions That Changed Everything

In 2022, a federal jury in Atlanta found Todd and Julie Chrisley guilty on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, tax evasion, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors alleged the couple orchestrated a years-long scheme involving falsified documents used to secure millions in bank loans, followed by deliberate efforts to evade paying taxes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Annelise Peters argued during the three-week trial that the Chrisleys exaggerated their wealth to obtain large loans and then “burned through” the money on an extravagant lifestyle. The prosecution painted a picture of deliberate deception, while the defense insisted the couple had been targeted unfairly and used as examples because of their fame.

Despite their continued denial of wrongdoing, the jury sided with the government.

Sentencing Delays and Legal Maneuvering

Originally, Todd and Julie were scheduled to be sentenced on October 6 following their convictions. However, court documents later confirmed that the sentencing date was postponed to November 21. According to reports, the government did not object to the delay, agreeing that the defense had legitimate grounds for requesting additional time.

This postponement reignited speculation among fans that the delay could signal deeper legal cracks—or even open the door to a new trial. Supporters saw it as a hopeful sign, while critics viewed it as another stalling tactic by a wealthy couple accustomed to fighting consequences.

Ultimately, the sentencing proceeded, and the outcome was devastating. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie received a seven-year sentence. Together, the couple faced a combined 19 years behind bars, along with millions of dollars in restitution ordered by the court.

The Push for a New Trial

Following the convictions, the Chrisleys’ legal team filed a joint motion seeking a new trial, arguing that the proceedings were fundamentally unfair. Central to their claim was testimony from IRS revenue officer Betty Carter, whom the defense accused of providing false statements on the witness stand.

According to the motion, Carter allegedly testified that the Chrisleys owed back taxes for years when she allegedly knew no taxes were due. The defense argued this testimony unfairly portrayed Todd and Julie as habitual liars and hardened criminals, influencing the jury’s perception of their character.

The motion claimed this false testimony went uncorrected by the prosecution and played a critical role in securing the convictions. However, despite these arguments, the court did not grant a full new trial—a decision that left many fans frustrated and divided.

Appeals, Resentencing, and a Narrow Legal Win

The legal battle didn’t stop there. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Chrisleys pursued appeals, challenging both their convictions and their sentences. One key moment came when an appellate court agreed there had been a legal error in how Julie’s sentence was calculated.

While the appeals court did not overturn Julie’s conviction, it ruled that the trial judge had improperly assigned her responsibility for financial losses that extended too far back in time. As a result, her sentence was vacated and sent back to the lower court for resentencing.

For a brief moment, hope surged. But after a resentencing hearing later that year, the federal judge declined to reduce Julie’s sentence, once again imposing the same seven-year term. The ruling made it painfully clear: while technical errors existed, the convictions themselves remained intact.

Life Behind Bars and a Family in Limbo

Todd reported to a federal prison camp in Florida, while Julie was incarcerated in a Kentucky facility. Their time behind bars marked a dramatic reversal from the opulent lifestyle viewers once watched on television.

Outside prison walls, their children struggled to keep the family together. Savannah Chrisley became the most vocal advocate for her parents, speaking publicly about the emotional toll of their incarceration and campaigning relentlessly for justice. The family leaned heavily on faith, insisting that the truth would eventually prevail.

Meanwhile, public opinion remained sharply divided. Some fans stood firmly by Todd and Julie, believing they were victims of a flawed system. Others argued the verdicts were long overdue consequences of deception hidden behind designer clothes and reality TV charm.

The Pardon That Changed Everything

Then came the twist no one saw coming.

In May 2025, former President Donald Trump issued full pardons to both Todd and Julie Chrisley, effectively nullifying their prison sentences. After more than two years behind bars, the couple was suddenly free.

Legally, a presidential pardon does not erase a conviction, but it does remove the penalties—including prison time—and restores certain rights. Symbolically, it represents forgiveness from the executive branch, and for the Chrisleys, it was life-altering.

According to reports, Trump personally called Savannah Chrisley to deliver the news, praising the family and declaring that her parents were “free and clean.” The moment was celebrated by supporters and criticized by others who viewed it as political favoritism.

Regardless of opinion, the legal impact was undeniable: Todd and Julie walked out of prison.

Life After Prison and a Return to the Spotlight

Freedom, however, has not meant an easy return to normalcy. Julie has since revealed she is dealing with a lung condition she believes developed due to prison conditions, citing black mold and poor air quality. Todd has spoken openly about how incarceration changed him emotionally, reshaping his understanding of family and control.

The Chrisleys are also returning to television, though in a very different form. A new docuseries, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, is set to chronicle their lives after prison. Unlike Chrisley Knows Best, this project focuses on rebuilding, reflection, and the emotional aftermath of scandal and confinement.

So, What About a New Trial?

Despite years of speculation, the legal truth remains clear. Todd and Julie Chrisley were not granted a new trial. Their convictions were upheld by the federal appeals court, even as certain sentencing calculations were reviewed.

It was not a new trial that freed them—it was a presidential pardon.

That distinction matters. The convictions still exist in the legal record, but the punishment no longer applies. For fans, critics, and legal observers alike, the Chrisley saga stands as one of the most dramatic reality TV collapses in modern pop culture history.

From courtroom drama to prison cells to presidential intervention, the story of Todd and Julie Chrisley has proven more shocking than anything ever scripted for television—and its impact will be debated for years to come.