<p id=”par-1_21″>Joseph Duggar will avoid jail time in his Arkansas child endangerment case after he and wife Kendra Duggar <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/kendra-caldwell-and-joseph-duggar-withdraw-not-guilty-pleas.html/”>changed their pleas</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-2_77″>The <em>Counting On </em>couple had originally pleaded not guilty to four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. On August 10, they submitted a plea by order in the case, <a href=”https://people.com/kendra-duggar-and-husband-joseph-get-advisement-period-in-child-neglect-case-12063933″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a> reports. A judge has since placed the pair on a 12-month advisement period. If they complete that period without issue, including maintaining good behavior and avoiding any new offenses, the state will dismiss all charges against them. </p>
<p id=”par-3_43″>However, the deal is far from the end of Joseph Duggar’s legal problems. The child neglect charges stemmed from a search of his and Kendra’s home in March 2026 after he was arrested in Arkansas on <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/joseph-duggar-requests-a-modifcation-to-2-no-contact-orders.html/”>suspicion of abusing a child</a> in Florida. </p>
<p id=”par-4_75″>That Florida case is ongoing. Duggar has been charged with 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. After his arrest in Arkansas, he was extradited to Florida, where he pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. He was then released on a $600,000 bond. Duggar’s next court date in that case is September 15, <a href=”https://www.wjhg.com/2026/07/14/joseph-duggar-case-continued-next-court-date-set-sept-15/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>WJHG</a> reports.</p>
<p id=”par-5_45″>Among the <a href=”https://people.com/kendra-duggar-parents-to-testify-against-husband-joseph-at-sex-assault-trial-12025370″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>witnesses expected to testify</a> for the prosecution at Duggar’s trial are his in-laws, Christina and Gene “Paul” Caldwell, as well as the alleged victim, who was 9 years old at the time the abuse occurred. He faces a possible life sentence if convicted. </p>
<p id=”par-6_28″><strong><em>How to get help: </em></strong><em>If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.</em></p>
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