Sean “Diddy” Combs, the iconic hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur, is at the center of a mounting legal campaign as his attorneys work to secure his early release from federal prison. While the Bureau of Prisons has tentatively set his release date for May 8, 2028, Diddy’s legal team is brimming with confidence that he could walk free much sooner. Their optimism is fueled by a combination of rehabilitation efforts, an expedited appeal, and even a request for presidential clemency.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo, who represented Diddy during his high-profile federal trial, has become the public face of this effort. Speaking to TMZ on October 30, 2025, Agnifilo said, “I anticipate he’ll be out before that date. However, the specifics hinge on various factors. Our primary focus is ensuring he’s properly situated…” He went on to assure, “I have full confidence that he will excel as an inmate and will be released as early as the system permits.” According to HotNewHipHop, Agnifilo’s confidence is echoed throughout Diddy’s legal camp, suggesting a strategic, multi-pronged approach to reducing his time behind bars.
Diddy, who has been incarcerated since his arrest in September 2024, is not leaving his fate solely in the hands of the courts. He is actively pursuing a transfer to a facility that offers the Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). This program, which was approved for him by Judge Arun Subramanian during his federal trial, is more than just a routine rehabilitation initiative—it could be the key to shaving up to a year off his sentence. To qualify, Diddy must maintain a nonviolent record while participating in the program’s intensive counseling, substance treatment, and structured discipline.
The RDAP is widely regarded as one of the most effective sentence-reduction tools available to federal inmates with substance abuse histories. According to TMZ, Diddy’s legal team is hopeful that his participation will not only benefit him personally but also demonstrate his commitment to rehabilitation in the eyes of the authorities. The program’s requirements are strict, but Agnifilo is certain that Diddy will meet them. “He’s going to go onto another facility and I have no doubt he’ll be a perfect prisoner, and I have no doubt that he’ll get out as soon as the system lets him,” Agnifilo told TMZ.
While rehabilitation is one pillar of the strategy, Diddy’s attorneys are also attacking the length of his sentence through the appellate courts. Alexandra Shapiro, a seasoned appellate lawyer, filed a motion on October 29, 2025, with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Her goal: to accelerate the usually drawn-out appeal process, which typically takes 18 months. In her filing, Shapiro urged the panel to shorten the timeline by a whole year, arguing that Diddy’s case merits expedited consideration. This dual approach—rehabilitation and rapid appeal—underscores how seriously Diddy’s team is taking every available route to secure his early release.
But the legal maneuvers don’t end there. According to reporting by TMZ, Diddy has also submitted a request for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. While presidential pardons are rare and often controversial, they remain a legal possibility for high-profile inmates. If granted, such clemency could override all other processes and result in immediate freedom. For now, though, the focus remains on the more conventional avenues: rehabilitation and appeal.
Behind the legal strategies lies a deeply personal motivation for Diddy. As Agnifilo shared with TMZ, Diddy is “anxious to get out so he can reunite with his mother and family.” The emotional toll of incarceration, compounded by the public scrutiny of his case, has been significant. Yet, his legal team’s optimism is buoyed by the fact that the jury did not convict Diddy on the most severe charges—those that could have resulted in a life sentence. Agnifilo expressed gratitude for this outcome, noting that it has left the door open for a meaningful second chance.
Throughout this saga, Diddy’s legal representatives have emphasized the importance of constructive rehabilitation. The RDAP, which Diddy is striving to join, is not just a box to check—it’s a rigorous program that requires real effort and engagement. According to HotNewHipHop, the program’s counseling and substance treatment components are designed to foster lasting change, both for the individual and for society at large. If Diddy completes the program and maintains a spotless record, he could see his sentence reduced by as much as a year, bringing his release date tantalizingly close.
The prospect of early release has generated considerable buzz not just in legal circles but also among Diddy’s fans and critics alike. Some see the legal team’s confidence as justified, given the avenues available for sentence reduction and appeal. Others question whether high-profile inmates receive preferential treatment. Regardless of public opinion, the facts remain: Diddy’s attorneys are working every angle, and the system provides mechanisms—like RDAP and expedited appeals—for inmates to earn earlier release through good behavior and rehabilitation.
It’s worth noting that Diddy’s case is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for how the federal justice system handles celebrity defendants in the modern era. While some have speculated about the influence of fame and fortune, Agnifilo and Shapiro have maintained that their approach is rooted in the same legal principles available to any defendant. Their focus, they say, is on the law, the facts, and Diddy’s willingness to meet the system’s demands for rehabilitation and accountability.
As the legal process unfolds, Diddy’s supporters remain hopeful that he will be able to rebuild his life and career upon release. His attorneys’ public statements reflect not just optimism, but a belief in the power of rehabilitation and the possibility of redemption. “Whenever he ends up released, Marc says Combs is going to make the most of it,” TMZ reported, capturing the sense of determination that now defines Diddy’s camp.
For now, the clock ticks toward May 8, 2028—but if Diddy’s legal team has its way, that date will become just another marker on a much shorter timeline. The coming months will reveal whether their confidence is well-placed, and whether Diddy’s journey through the federal justice system ends with a story of early redemption or continued struggle.
