Judge Reminds Julie Chrisley: ‘Being a Mom Won’t Excuse Criminal Conduct’ at Resentencing

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Julie Chrisley was not treated with leniency by the judge who resentenced her today.

The Northern District of Georgia Judge sent a strong message to Chrisley Knows Best Alumnus, 51. He resentenced her to 84 months in prison, as he deemed her original sentence sufficient for the tax fraud and evasion case.

The judge stated that during the hearing held in downtown Atlanta, she had received letters from Julie Chrisley’s daughter Savannah Chrisley, and other family members, as well as licensed therapists for Grayson (18) and Chloe (11), as well. The judge said that, in her opinion, the majority of cases involve parents with young children. However many people do not have access to the same resources as the Chrisleys.

She told Julie, during the hearing for resentencing: “I’m concerned about the kids but [with] due respect you don’t receive a free pass from criminal behavior because you are a parent.”

The judge sentenced the former reality TV star to 84 months after noting that “her sentence will not change.” Julie’s lawyer asked her to report back to Kentucky jail after a 24-hour furlough. The judge denied this request.

Julie Chrisley — who was unrecognizable after putting on brown hair — spoke to the court in tears, along with her two eldest daughters Savannah and Chase Chrisley. She apologized to her family for the impact of her legal case and her previous actions.

Julie told the court that she had spent years thinking about what she wanted to say. She apologized for her actions and situations which led to today’s situation. “I have spent 20 months in jail, but I’ve been there for much longer leading up to this trial. I apologize for the actions that brought us to where we are now,” Julie said before the court.

“I’ve done everything I could to be closer to my family. I have taken tests to learn new skills such as how to drive a forklift or serve food properly. This has been the hardest part of my entire life. “I can never repay my children for the hardships they have had to endure and I am truly sorry for this,” she said.

The Chrisley family matriarch, who was sentenced to seven years in November 2022, received a 12-year prison sentence. Todd Chrisley, her 55-year-old husband, received the same sentence. They reported to prison in 2023 despite their appeals beginning that December.

A judge granted Julie’s appeal after their hearing in April 2024. She was subsequently vacated of her seven-year prison sentence due to insufficient proof. Todd’s sentence has been upheld.

The Chrisley’s attorney Alex Little stated, “We were pleased that the Court agreed Julie’s sentence is improper but disappointed that it has rejected Todd’s Appeal”.

Little said, “Now that this step is behind us we can challenge the couple’s convictions based on the illegal search which started the case. The family is grateful for the support they have received during this process. They’re hoping for more good news to come in the future.”