Sean “Diddy” Combs is fighting to get his appeal heard as quickly as possible, with his lawyers arguing that his 50-month prison sentence is far too harsh. Court documents filed on Wednesday show that his legal team wants the case brought before a judge by April.
According to defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro, both sides have agreed to fast-track the appeal schedule, hoping to present their arguments within months rather than waiting until next year.
A federal jury in New York City found Combs guilty in July on two counts of interstate prostitution but cleared him of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
“Sean’s appeal will challenge the unfair use of the Mann Act, an infamous statute with a sordid history, to prosecute him for sex with consenting adults,” Shapiro said in a statement, reported Billboard.
Combs, who pleaded not guilty, has continued to maintain his innocence. He was handed a 50-month sentence earlier this month and is currently serving time in federal custody. The Bureau of Prisons lists his expected release date as 8 May 2028.
The 54-year-old has already spent 14 months behind bars since his arrest last year. His legal team believes that, depending on good behavior credits or a successful appeal, his time behind bars could be significantly reduced.
“Mr. Combs expects to challenge both his conviction and sentence in his appeal,” his lawyers wrote in their filing. “An expedited briefing and argument schedule is critical to ensure that Mr. Combs’s appeal of his sentence does not become moot while the appeal is pending.”
They argue that if the court takes too long to review the case, Diddy could end up serving most of his sentence before any decision is made, making the appeal pointless.
The appeal centres on the use of the Mann Act, a century-old law that prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution or “immoral purposes.” The law has long been criticised for its controversial history, with civil rights advocates saying it has been misused to target individuals unfairly.
Combs’ conviction under this law has reignited debate over its application in modern cases. His lawyers insist the encounters in question were consensual and that the charges were a misuse of a law meant for an entirely different context.
If the appeal succeeds, Combs could see his sentence reduced or even overturned. For now, he remains in a federal facility as his legal team works to push the case forward as quickly as possible.
Combs’ downfall has been one of the most shocking in the music world. Once celebrated as one of hip-hop’s most powerful figures, he now faces years in prison while his empire crumbles.
Despite the conviction, his team remains defiant. “We believe this case raises serious questions about fairness and the proper use of the law,” Shapiro said.
The next few months could determine whether Diddy spends the rest of the decade behind bars—or walks free much sooner.
