CHICAGO (AP) – What could be imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan’s last longshot chance at a new trial is now again in the hands of an appeals court.

After years of complex legal wrangling, Ryan’s attorneys argued Friday before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after an order from the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s unknown how long the lower court could take to decide; attorneys estimate weeks or months.

The stakes, however, are not that high. The arguments come as the former Republican governor nears the end of his 61/2-year federal prison sentence on several corruption charges. He’s due to be released next year.