Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, the founder of Binance, is pushing back against the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to limit his travel as he faces sentencing. CZ’s legal team contends that he is not a flight risk, citing previous judicial decisions and emphasizing his voluntary appearance before the court. Meanwhile, hints of CZ potentially avoiding jail time are emerging as his lawyers explore alternatives such as home detention or community confinement.
In response to the DOJ’s recent move to prevent CZ from leaving the U.S., his legal team is challenging the assertion that he poses a flight risk. They point to U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian A. Tsuchida’s earlier decision to grant bail, allowing CZ to voluntarily return to the UAE. The defense underscores CZ’s commitment to taking responsibility for his actions, his lack of a criminal history, and his plea of guilty as indications of his cooperation with the court.
CZ’s voluntary appearance is portrayed as pivotal in resolving the government’s case against Binance. The legal team disputes the government’s argument regarding the absence of an extradition treaty between the U.S. and the UAE, highlighting inconsistencies in similar bail cases involving foreign defendants.
As the sentencing phase approaches, CZ’s lawyers hint at advocating for no jail time for their client. They suggest that alternatives, such as serving half of any potential imprisonment in a non-jail setting like home detention or community confinement, could be explored. The defense plans to draw on precedents for similar offenses to support their request.
The U.S. government has outlined a potential maximum prison term of 18 months, aligning with federal guidelines for CZ’s case. However, CZ’s legal team appears poised to challenge this, aiming for a resolution that minimizes or eliminates jail time based on legal precedents and the unique circumstances of the case.
As the legal battle unfolds, CZ’s resistance to travel restrictions and the potential pursuit of a sentence without incarceration indicate a complex legal strategy aimed at securing the best possible outcome for the Binance founder.
