Attorneys for Sean Combs have intensified their legal efforts by filing an expedited appeal to overturn his federal conviction for interstate prostitution charges or significantly reduce his prison sentence.
The filing reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Tuesday. Combs’ lawyers argue that the court imposed an unlawful sentence that goes well beyond what the jury’s verdict supports.
Combs is serving a 50-month federal sentence after a jury convicted him on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. Earlier this year, the same jury cleared him of the most serious accusations. These included racketeering conspiracy, and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
Despite those acquittals, the defence says the sentence punishes Combs for crimes the jury explicitly rejected.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seeks immediate release from prison in appeals argumenthttps://t.co/aQ7QIpWSdh pic.twitter.com/4xqMYDtDI4
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 24, 2025In an 84-page brief, appellate attorney Alexandra Shapiro argues that prosecutors failed to prove the prostitution charges beyond a reasonable doubt. She says the conduct involved consenting adults who willingly took part in the encounters discussed at trial.
The appeal focuses heavily on sentencing. Shapiro contends that Arun Subramanian, the trial judge, relied on acquitted conduct when calculating punishment. By weighing allegations tied to racketeering and sex trafficking, the judge, she argues, violated Combs’ constitutional rights.
The filing calls the punishment “draconian.” It says the 50-month term runs nearly three times longer than typical sentences for similar offences involving voluntary prostitution. The defence claims the judge acted as a “thirteenth juror” by substituting his own conclusions for the jury’s findings.
In expedited appeal, Sean Combs calls for overturning conviction on interstate prostitution charges. https://t.co/cSrq8vPdb2
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 24, 2025Following an eight-week trial in New York, the court sentenced Combs to imprisonment, fined him $500,000, and imposed a five-year term of supervised release. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists his projected release date as May 25, 2028. His lawyers note that he has already spent nearly 16 months in custody. This exceeds the average term for comparable cases.
Accordingly, the defence is pressing for swift action. If the appeals court does not overturn the convictions, Combs’ team wants immediate release. They also seek a resentencing limited strictly to the conduct the jury found proven.
Read: Diddy Plans Billion-Dollar Defamation Lawsuit Against Netflix Over 50 Cent Documentary
The Second Circuit rarely overturns district court rulings. Still, the fast-tracked appeal highlights the urgency of the request. Prosecutors must respond by February 20, with a defence reply due March 13.
The ruling could reshape the case. It may shorten Combs’ time in custody or set a precedent for how courts treat acquitted conduct in federal sentencing.
