Diddy’s legal team plans appeal amid four-year prison sentence and $500K fine: All you need to know

Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on October 3, 2025, to 50 months in federal prison and fined $500,000. The sentence came after he was found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted on the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, as per the NY Post.

During the sentencing, Diddy apologized to the court, his family, and the victims. He admitted that his actions were wrong and expressed regret for the harm he caused. The judge also added five years of supervised release following the prison term, as per CNN. Diddy’s defense team, however, quickly announced plans to appeal, arguing that the sentence was unfair and based on improper considerations.

His lawyers argued that Diddy has already served around 12 months in custody, which will be credited toward his sentence. They plan to challenge both the verdict and the sentence, claiming that the judge included conduct for which Diddy was acquitted. Prosecutors had pushed for an 11-year term, but the judge decided on a lesser sentence, citing the need for deterrence.

Details of Diddy's sentence and the arguments made by the defense

According to CNN on October 3, 2025, the 50-month sentence is the maximum sentence under federal law on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. The court fined him $500,000 in addition to the jail sentence. According to the judge, Arun Subramanian, the sentence was to send a strong message to perpetrators of abuse and prevent future occurrences of such acts.

The lawyers of Diddy contended that the court's sentence was based on an action that had not been established in court, referring to it as "unconstitutional." His lawyers claimed the jury had acquitted him of coercion and trafficking, but the sentence also cited conduct associated with the charges. This, they said, was excessively harsh, incompatible with the verdict of the jury, and "sends the wrong message."

His attorneys also referred to the decision as an "un-American", stating that the ruling should not have considered the corresponding elements of sex trafficking and racketeering, associated with the Mann Act, which he did not commit. They added that he already served a year in jail and has attempted to change his life. The team intends to make a formal appeal in the near future; it claims that there are good reasons to reverse the sentence or at least to reduce it.

Read More: How is Aubrey O’Day connected to Diddy? Details explored as singer issues stark warning after mogul's prison sentence

Court reactions and next legal steps

According to a BBC News report published on October 4, 2025, Judge Subramanian said the ruling was made on the basis of both punishment and prevention. He replied that a hard sentence was needed to deter others from committing the same offence. Prosecutors favor the decision, arguing that the evidence indicated a pattern of exploitation and control, citing how the day was about "accountability and justice."

Before the announcement of the sentence, Combs, his family, as well as his defendants made a few statements. Combs apologized to the people who were affected, naming Ventura and Jane, admitting to his faults, stating how his "actions were disgusting, shameful, and sick." Furthermore, he also apologized to his mother, children, and asked for forgiveness.

However, his lawyers contested that the case happened due to a misconception regarding consensual behavior, rather than coercion and trafficking. But the Judge rejected their portrayal of the relationship between Ventura and Jane as consensual and intimate, and referred to it as physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, further stating that Combs had the money as well as the power to keep it going. (BBC)

Read More: "You always have to watch your back”: Diddy’s attorney says the rapper "clearly" faces threats of violence in prison

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