Dr. Conrad Murray has just filed legal docs asking a judge to release him from jail pending appeal.

Murray claims in his legal docs he has a legitimate basis to appeal his manslaughter conviction. Among the grounds for appeal -- "improper exclusion of defense evidence and witnesses that resulted in violating the defendant's State and constitutional rights to due process, to present a defense and to the effective assistance of counsel."

Murray's lawyer also says, "He has exhausted virtually all of his available resources."

Murray is asking to be released on no bail pending the appeal.

If released, Murray says he plans to live with his baby mama Nicole Alvarez -- and would be willing to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

Murray says he would also seek employment to support his children -- though it's unclear what work that would entail , considering his medical license has been unceremoniously revoked.

To illustrate his dire circumstances behind bars, Murray's lawyer says the ex-doctor is housed under "maximum security" conditions -- isolated in a solitary cell, and escorted around the jail facility with his hands chained to his waist.