The former reality star’s bond is set at $600,000.

Joseph Duggar enters plea for child molestation charges ahead of court appearance

The former reality star's bond is set at $600,000.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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March 31, 2026 12:28 p.m. ET

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Joseph Duggar's mugshot. Credit:

Washington County Sheriff's Department

- Joseph Duggar pleaded not guilty to the child molestation charges ahead of his March 31 court appearance.

- Joseph allegedly sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl several times during a 2020 family vacation to Panama City in Florida.

- The former reality star's bail is set for $600,000 and he is set to return to court on April 20.

Joseph Duggar is pleading not guilty to child molestation charges.

The former TLC star entered a not guilty plea, waived arraignment on the charges, and requested a jury trial on Sunday, March 29, PEOPLE reports.

He was officially booked in Florida on Tuesday, March 31, after his whereabouts were unknown on Monday following his release from custody at the the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Ark. He appeared remotely for the court proceedings.

According to *Page Six**,* Joseph's attorney stated his client is "asking to be treated as fairly as anyone else, regardless of his status in the television industry." Additionally, Joseph's family is “asking for the most reasonable bond" as "he has no criminal history whatsoever."

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However, the prosecutor from the State Attorney’s Office noted that the allegations are "a serious charge against the child.” “We ask there be a no contact in place with the victim, as well as no contact with any minors,” the prosecutor said, *Page Six* reported. “While he doesn’t have a criminal history and no ties to the community… he was on vacation and stayed here a short period of time…We ask for a substantial bond."

According to Page Six, Joseph's attorney stated his client is "asking to be treated as fairly as anyone else, regardless of his status in the television industry." Additionally, Joseph's family is “asking for the most reasonable bond" as "he has no criminal history whatsoever."

Bond was set for Joseph at $600,000. His next court date is April 20.

* *reached out to a representative for Joseph Duggar and did not receive an immediate response.

New details behind Kendra Duggar's arrest reportedly emerge

Amy Duggar King theorizes how uncle Jim Bob Duggar would address the family about Joseph Duggar's child molestation charges

On March 18, Joseph — who shares four kids with wife Kendra — was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. Per the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Joseph is accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl several times during a family vacation to Panama City, Fla., in 2020.

The girl, now 14, recently came forward to the police with her allegations, claiming that Joseph apologized for his actions and stopped. The girl's father also confronted Joseph, who allegedly admitted guilt to him and authorities.

Joseph isn't the only Duggar family member to face criminal charges. In 2021, Joseph's older brother Josh Duggar was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022.

The Duggar family rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their show *19 Kids and Counting *and its spin-off *Counting On*. Both shows were eventually canceled due amid Josh's legal issues.**

*If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to **rainn.org**.*

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