Supreme Court refuses to review Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal

In the United States, the Supreme Court made a significant decision when it declined to hear the appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell on October 6, 2025. This refusal follows a previous ruling by an appeals court which upheld her conviction for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors. Maxwell’s legal argument was focused on a non-prosecution agreement made by Epstein in Florida, which she contended should have protected her from prosecution in New York. However, the Justice Department argued that this agreement did not apply outside Florida, and the justices ultimately dismissed her case without formal review, meaning she could remain incarcerated for an additional decade unless granted clemency by President Donald Trump. Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in federal prison. Her conviction followed the death of Epstein in custody in 2019 while facing similar charges. Despite the Supreme Court's decision, Maxwell's lawyer expressed disappointment but asserted that they would continue pursuing legal avenues, citing unresolved legal and factual issues regarding non-prosecution agreements. The case has broader implications as Maxwell's appeal pointed to a split in how different U.S. courts interpret such agreements, which could potentially affect future cases involving similar legal arguments. Additionally, the political backdrop of the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein-related investigations has added layers of complexity, with calls for transparency regarding Epstein's connections with high-profile figures, including Trump. Maxwell's situation remains tenuous, and her legal team plans to explore further options even after the Supreme Court's unfavorable decision. Her current projected release date, set by the Bureau of Prisons, is July 17, 2037, unless significant developments arise in the political or legal landscape that could impact her sentence.