Jana, Joy-Anna, Jason & James Duggar get family breakfast just days before brother Josh’s child pornography sentencing

The court documents continue to argue: “These claims only underscore the appropriateness of the Government’s sentencing recommendation. 

“Indeed, his supportive family and public-facing and privileged lifestyle make his pattern of criminal conduct all the more baffling.

"Despite achieving some level of fame through reality television as an adult, he is better known at this point for his behavior outside his family’s show, including his sexual improprieties and criminal sexual conduct. 

“More importantly, none of these letters meaningfully grapple with his crimes or his sexual proclivities toward prepubescent girls.”

The prosecution then argues that it is “unlikely” Josh will “ever receive the treatment and accountability needed to prevent him from reoffending should he maintain this posture.”

The court documents claim: “In fact, given the apparent success of his blame tactics with some of the individuals he intends to surround himself with after his release from incarceration, it is not just unlikely—it is inconceivable.”

The prosecution also fights back against the argument that his wife and seven children will be affected financially by his 20-year absence. 

The court docs continued: “And while Duggar’s incarceration will undoubtedly reverberate through his immediate and extended family, that is unfortunately true in many criminal cases and particularly in cases like this one, where Duggar appears to have hidden his reprehensible conduct from those closest to him up until his conviction.”

LOOKING FOR LENIENCY

Josh’s legal team begged the judge to be lenient with sentencing. 

The court papers read: “The 34-year-old father of seven who stands before this Court for sentencing has lived an admirable life while navigating unique challenges associated with being in the public spotlight since childhood. 

“Duggar pleaded not guilty and proceeded to trial. He now stands convicted of a serious offense and, as such, this Court must pronounce a sentence. However, in determining the appropriate sentence in this case, Duggar asks this Court to recognize him for the person he is and the person he can become.”

The document continued: “Prior to this case, Duggar had never been charged with, let alone convicted of, a single criminal offense throughout his entire life. In stark contrast, he worked exceptionally hard, has always been fully devoted to his family, and exemplified selfless acts outside of the public spotlight that speaks to his true character."

“However, what speaks to Duggar’s true character is that his family remains firmly by his side and they yearn for the day when he can return home to them. His seven children and loving wife are struggling to make do without him but eagerly await the day when he will return to care for them, to love them, and to provide for them.”

Josh's legal team continued: "While the reality that Duggar is going to be sentenced to federal prison is undoubtedly frightening for Duggar himself, it has paralyzed his family with fear.

"Stated simply, any punishment imposed on Duggar is also a punishment imposed on his family."

Josh’s legal team also responded to the government noting a “pattern,” as a 2006 police report claimed Josh molested underage females in the family home, including sisters Jill, 30, and Jessa, 29, who came forward as victims. 

Josh’s attorneys argued: “This cannot possibly be reasonably construed to constitute a 'pattern of activity sufficient to warrant a significant increase of 5 offense levels.

"And to be clear, it is not only the length of time that transpired between the two alleged incidents; it is also the fact that Duggar was a child at the time of the first alleged incident."