Josh Duggar News: Will Josh Duggar’s Trial Be Televised?
Duggar family followers keeping up with the latest Josh Duggar news know his trial is coming soon. Federal agents arrested Josh in April 2021 on suspicion of downloading and obtaining child sexual abuse material. Now, he’s headed to trial over the allegations. Will Josh Duggar’s trial be televised? Here’s everything we know about how public the trial may be.
Did Josh Duggar plead guilty? What we know ahead of the trial
When federal agents first arrested Josh Duggar, he pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes. But Duggar family followers assumed he’d have the opportunity to accept a plea deal. A plea deal would allow Josh to avoid a trial and possibly attain a lighter prison sentence if he admitted guilt. But it seems he didn’t accept a plea deal, either. This means Josh Duggar’s trial will happen on Nov. 30, 2021, as originally planned.
Josh could’ve allegedly accepted a plea deal up until Oct. 18, 2021. But it seems he could also accept a plea afterward in the “open plea” time period prior to the trial. “Theoretically, pleading guilty in the open plea stage could result in an equal sentence as that which would come from trial,” a Reddit user noted.
For now, it seems Josh still pleads not guilty to the crimes.
Josh Duggar news: Will Josh Duggar’s trial be televised?
Will Josh Duggar’s trial be televised for Duggar family followers to watch live as it happens? While the trial is breaking Josh Duggar news, it’s highly unlikely the trial will be televised. According to Fox News, no one can bring any phones, laptops, or recording devices into the trial that begins on the morning of Nov. 30, 2021.
Additionally, an alert from the United States Court Western District Arkansas-Fayetteville as captured by Reddit shows who will see the trial at all. “Jury selection begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 30,” the message reads. “During jury selection, only overflow seating will be available as space allows. Overflow seating will allow spectators to hear but not see the proceedings.”
TV Shows Ace notes reporters in the court can take notes, but they can’t share information live from the courtroom. This means it’s highly unlikely Duggar family followers will get live updates as the trial happens.
Will Duggar family members attend the trial?
Can other Duggar family members attend Josh Duggar’s trial? We imagine Josh Duggar’s wife, Anna Duggar, will attend if possible, as she’s made past court appearances by his side. But it seems Josh’s siblings likely won’t go to the trial. They may have to wait and hear updates like everyone else.
As for Josh’s parents, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, prosecutors may call upon Jim Bob as a witness. According to People, William G. Clayman of the prosecution said the witnesses would testify to “multiple instances” of alleged child molestation that occurred in prior years. Knowing this, it seems the prosecution may try to bring up Josh’s 2015 molestation scandal that the media brought forth.
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.
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