High Court: No Prison for McDonnell...for Now

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will not have to go to prison while the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to review his convictions on public corruption.

The high court's ruling overturns a lower court's decision that McDonnell would have to report to prison to serve his two-year sentence.

The former governor has until early November to ask the Supreme Court to consider his case.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled nearly two weeks ago against McDonnell's request to remain free while appealing his case. He was convicted in January of doing political favors for a wealthy donor in exchange for $165,000 in gifts and loans.

But attorneys for McDonnell contend that the jury in the case was not properly instructed. They immediately appealed the Circuit Court's ruling to the Supreme Court.

"This is an extraordinarily high profile political prosecution, resting on an aggressive unprecedented theory of liability, with far reaching consequences for elected officials," the McDonnell petition read.

It continued, warning that "The 4th Circuit's decision will upend the political process, devastate fundamental First Amendment freedoms, and confer vast discretion on federal prosecutors."

The Supreme Court's latest ruling, granted without comment, gives McDonnell a glimmer of hope after his recent losses in legal battles. It raises at least a possibility that the justices might reverse lower court rulings against him.