5 Shocking Realities Of Todd And Julie Chrisley’s Life After Their Presidential Pardon And Prison Release

The question "Are the Chrisleys still in jail?" has a definitive and surprising answer as of December 2025: No, they are not. After serving less than half of their combined 19-year sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion, reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were granted a full presidential pardon and released from federal prison in May 2025. This dramatic turn of events, which followed an aggressive appeal process and a high-profile clemency campaign by their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, has thrust the family back into the spotlight with a new reality show detailing their life after incarceration. This article breaks down the timeline of their release, the details of the pardon, and the shocking new realities the family faces today.

Todd and Julie Chrisley: Complete Biographical Profile

The Chrisley couple, famous for their opulent lifestyle and the hit reality series *Chrisley Knows Best*, saw their public image and financial standing collapse following their legal troubles. Their story is one of immense wealth, massive debt, and a sensational fall from grace.

• Michael Todd Chrisley
  • Born: April 6, 1969 (Age 56 as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Georgia, USA
  • Occupation: Real Estate Entrepreneur, Television Personality
  • Original Sentence: 12 years in Federal Prison (FPC Pensacola)
  • Net Worth: Estimated at -$18 million (due to legal debt and restitution)
• Julie Hughes Chrisley
  • Born: January 9, 1973 (Age 52 as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Winchester, South Carolina, USA (Born Julie Hughes)
  • Occupation: Television Personality
  • Original Sentence: 7 years in Federal Prison (FMC Lexington)
  • Net Worth: Estimated at -$18 million (jointly with Todd)
• Children: Lindsie Chrisley (from Todd’s first marriage), Kyle Chrisley (from Todd’s first marriage), Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, and Grayson Chrisley.

The Shocking Release: A Full Presidential Pardon in May 2025

The biggest development in the Chrisley saga is the fact that their time behind bars ended far sooner than anyone predicted. The couple was convicted in June 2022 of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion, resulting in initial sentences of 12 and 7 years, respectively.

1. The Appeal That Paved the Way

Leading up to their release, the Chrisley legal team had been actively pursuing an appeal, arguing that key witness testimony was unreliable and that the original trial contained errors. While the appeal process was ongoing, the family’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, became the public face of the campaign for their freedom. She used her popular podcast and social media platforms to lobby for clemency, citing the harsh conditions and alleged mistreatment her parents were experiencing in their separate federal facilities.

2. The Clemency Grant

In a stunning move, President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to both Todd and Julie Chrisley on May 27, 2025. A presidential pardon effectively forgives a federal crime, restoring certain rights and ending the prison sentence. Their release date was confirmed as May 28, 2025, just over two years into their sentences. This act of clemency was highly controversial, given the severity of the financial crimes—defrauding banks of over $30 million—and the fact that the couple was still ordered to pay millions in restitution.

Life After Bars: The New Reality of the Chrisley Family

Todd and Julie Chrisley returned to Nashville, Tennessee, to a family dynamic that had fundamentally shifted. Their post-prison life is now the subject of a new reality television series, revealing the emotional and logistical challenges of their return.

3. The New Reality Show: *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*

Federal prison couldn't stop the Chrisleys from returning to the small screen. Shortly after their release, Lifetime announced a new reality series, *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*, which premiered in late 2025. The show documents the unfiltered, emotional reunion of the family and the stark contrast between their former lavish lifestyle and their new, more restricted existence. The premise focuses on:

• The Emotional Reunion: The tearful and highly anticipated moment when Todd and Julie saw their children, Chase, Savannah, and Grayson, for the first time outside of a prison visitation room.
• The Family Divide: The series reportedly addresses the strain and "divided household" that emerged during the two-year period of incarceration, with some family members struggling to cope with the public scrutiny and legal fallout.
• The Guardianship Shift: Savannah Chrisley’s life, which was completely upended as she took on the guardianship of her younger brother, Grayson Chrisley, and her niece, Chloe Chrisley, during her parents’ time in prison.

4. Financial Fallout and Restitution Obligations

While the pardon freed the Chrisleys from their prison sentences, it did not erase their legal debt. A presidential pardon only applies to the criminal sentence, not necessarily the financial penalties. The couple still faces a massive restitution order of over $17 million to be paid to the banks they defrauded. The financial stress remains a central theme in their post-prison life, as they must find ways to generate income while under public and legal scrutiny to satisfy their debt. Their negative net worth remains a constant shadow over their return to reality television.

5. The Legal Battle Continues for Co-Conspirators

The Chrisleys' pardon did not extend to their co-conspirator, their former accountant Peter Tarr, who was also convicted in the scheme. This is a critical distinction, as the legal ramifications for those involved in the bank fraud and tax evasion conspiracy continue. The Chrisleys are now free, but the legal system's full judgment on the financial crimes remains a complex and ongoing issue for the other parties involved. The family's legal team is still fighting to clear their names entirely, even with the pardon, a process that will likely be featured heavily in their new reality show.

Summary: The Chrisleys Are Home, But Not Free

In conclusion, the answer to "Are the Chrisleys still in jail?" is a resounding no, thanks to a presidential pardon in May 2025. They were released from FPC Pensacola and FMC Lexington, respectively, and are now back in Nashville. However, their freedom comes with significant baggage: a multi-million dollar restitution debt, a fractured family dynamic, and the pressure of documenting their new, highly scrutinized lives on their show, *The Chrisleys: Back to Reality*. The saga of the Chrisley family is far from over; it has simply moved from the courtroom and the prison walls back into the realm of reality television.