Content Warning: This article references child sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Joseph Duggar is in the middle of his ongoing criminal case in Florida. But his legal team secured a big win when the judge signed off to allow them to interview the investigators involved in the child abuse allegation. This means they get access to some records that are typically protected by confidentiality laws because they relate to his case.
The former TV star’s attorneys can question investigators
According to new court documents that TMZ obtained, a Florida judge ruled that Joseph’s lawyers can depose witnesses tied to his investigation. This includes reps from the Department of Children & Families, the Child Protection Team, and the Children’s Advocacy Center.
The order also forces the involved agencies to turn over evidence that prosecution might use at trial. This includes video, audio recordings, reports, and any other physical evidence. The defense team will be allowed to view, examine, and copy any material they think may be used by the prosecutors.
Many of these records are often protected by confidentiality laws. However, in the filing, the judge stated that this information may be relevant in determining Joseph’s guilt or innocence. This is why the defense is entitled to access to it before trial.
Joseph was arrested in Arkansas in March. He was accused of alleged unlawful sexual activity with a minor during a family vacation to Florida in 2020. At the time, the alleged victim was nine years old. Now, she is 14 years old. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The paperwork also revealed Joseph is trying to amend the no-contact order in his case. He has not been allowed to communicate with his biological children since March 31. In the filings, the attorneys note that the victim is not one of his children and stress Joseph’s presumed innocence until trial.
However, he and his wife, Kendra Duggar, are also facing child endangerment charges in Arkansas. They are pleading not guilty to this as well.
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, help is available by texting “STRENGTH” to 741-741 to reach a trained Crisis Text Line counselor.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH THE JUDGE’S DECISION HERE?
