Josh Duggar Requests New Attorney to Help Overturn His Child Porn Conviction as He Claims He Can't 'Afford Counsel' Anymore
Josh Duggar filed a request for a court-appointed attorney on Tuesday, May 27, amid his fight to overturn his child pornography conviction
Duggar claimed in documents obtained by PEOPLE that he cannot afford to hire his own legal counsel to potentially help him file a motion to vacate his conviction
In 2022, Duggar was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison on charges of receipt and possession of child pornographyJosh Duggar is hoping to pursue another attempt at overturning his conviction.
On Tuesday, May 27, the 37-year-old wrote a letter to the judge presiding over his case, requesting a court-appointed attorney. According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, Duggar claimed he does not have enough money to pay a lawyer as he continues to fight against his 2022 conviction on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography.
'I am unable to afford counsel due to my current financial circumstances,' he wrote.
The filing went on to reveal that Duggar, who is currently serving over 12 years in federal prison, is seeking legal assistance 'to help evaluate' whether there were "constitutional violations' in his case, 'and, if appropriate, prepare a motion to vacate, set aside, or correct my conviction and sentence.'
Duggar alleged that his trial 'involved complex constitutional and evidentiary issues, particularly relating to legal rulings and strategic decisions made during trial proceedings' and 'errors in the admission of forensic evidence.'
He further stated that he believes the prosecution failed to disclose the entirety of its evidence, and cited the 'broad publicity of this case' and 'intense scrutiny' of the facts as reason for 'a full and fair post-conviction review.'
'As time has unfolded, new legal theories and strategies have emerged in public discourse that may be relevant to the Defendant's case,' the documents alleged. 'In light of these developments, the Defendant seeks to consult with counsel to fully evaluate the potential of these emerging strategies and how they may support a motion for relief.'
The news comes after Duggar — a married father of seven who claimed he has 'worked diligently to focus on education, personal growth, my faith, and to maintain strong family ties' while incarcerated — filed for an appeal in October 2023. After it was rejected, he took it to the Supreme Court, where it was once again denied a year later.
"A child predator has been brought to justice," said Homeland Security's resident agent-in-charge, Billy Riggins, at the time of Duggar's conviction.
The 19 Kids and Counting alum has maintained his innocence ever since Homeland Security agents found child pornography downloaded onto a computer linked to Duggar at his business in 2019. The investigation found that he had developed a hidden system on his work computer to view explicit content of children — some under the age of 10 — in which they were being sexually abused.
It was also revealed that he allegedly molested sisters Jill (Duggar) Dillard and Jessa (Duggar) Seewald when he was between the ages of 12 and 15.
Despite his defense arguing that there was a probability the former reality star was hacked or exploited, and that the prosecution's case lacked evidence to prove otherwise, a jury ultimately found him guilty.
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