AP Photo/Jacquelyn MartinFormer Democratic Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson, second from left, is surrounded by reporters as he enters U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va. on Friday, Media outlets across the country today are weighing in on two of the city's top...

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The judge who presided over the federal bribery trial of former Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., says he can stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction.

Ex-congressman gets to keep private attorneys, but they agree to cheaper rates

Defense says Jefferson should be free during his appeal. Judge could allow him to be at home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Former congressman William J. Jefferson will not have to begin serving his 13-year prison term until his appeal of his conviction on corruption charges is resolved, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, of New Orleans, can remain free from jail until the appeal of his conviction is heard, a process that is expected to take at least a year.

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Former Congressman William Jefferson will remain out of jail pending his appeal process, which could extend for months and perhaps years, according to a ruling from a federal judge Wednesday. Judge T.S. Ellis ruled that Jefferson, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison after a conviction on several corruption charges, need not report to prison immediately. Ellis ruled that ...

Published: Nov 19, 2009 - UPDATED: 4:10 p.m. A federal judge on Wednesday afternoon ruled that former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson can stay out of jail pending the appeal of his conviction. Appeals generally take about a year to complete but could take longer.

William Jefferson, the former Louisiana congressman who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on bribery charges, will be allowed to remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction.

Former Democratic Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson, center left, with his wife Andrea Jefferson, and his defense team, are approached by the media while exiting the U.S. District Court after Jefferson was sentenced to thirteen years in prison for bribery, in Alexandria, Va., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.