In a political landscape reminiscent of a "Law & Order" episode, President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has been convicted of illegally purchasing a firearm by not disclosing his drug use on a federal form. However, early polls indicate that this conviction is unlikely to negatively affect President Biden's popularity.

While former President Donald Trump's recent conviction for falsifying business records has resulted in a slight dip in support, it appears that the same cannot be said for Hunter Biden's conviction. A YouGov/CBS News poll reveals that a mere 24 percent of U.S. adults reported hearing or reading a lot about Biden's trial, whereas 39 percent had significant awareness of Trump's trial.

It is important to note that Joe Biden is not on trial, and voters would need to fault him for his son's wrongdoing for it to impact his political standing. A Marquette University Law School poll found that 45 percent of likely voters believed Joe Biden did something illegal related to his son's business dealings, while an additional 25 percent thought he did something wrong but not illegal. However, no evidence has yet emerged to substantiate such claims.

Furthermore, Hunter Biden's conviction is not connected to his controversial business dealings but rather his purchase of a firearm while struggling with addiction. Considering the sensitive nature of addiction, President Biden's steadfast support of his son in this case may actually garner sympathy from the public. A previous Ipsos/Reuters poll found that 54 percent of U.S. adults believed it was believable that Joe Biden was being a good father by standing by his son during his legal troubles.

An Emerson College poll conducted after the verdict indicated that 64 percent of registered voters stated that Hunter Biden's trial would have no impact on their vote. Only 4 percent of Joe Biden supporters and 10 percent of undecided voters claimed that the conviction would make them less likely to vote for him. By contrast, in a similar poll regarding Trump's hypothetical conviction, 53 percent of registered voters stated that it would not affect their vote.

Considering the data collected prior to the verdict, it appears that Hunter Biden's conviction will have little to no impact on the 2024 election. However, as with any political event, unforeseen shifts cannot be ruled out. It will be essential to monitor future polls to gauge any potential changes in public perception.

Although Hunter Biden's current trial may not significantly affect President Biden's popularity, it should be noted that his upcoming trial for tax evasion in September has garnered more attention from Republicans, who may seek to politicize the issue. As the race for the 2024 presidency progresses, we will continue to provide updates on any significant developments that may impact the outcome.