Arkansas judicial news
From Judgepedia
News about or affecting the judiciary in Arkansas.
Arkansas judge announces retirement
Arkansas: Judge Ray B. Stanley of the Polk County Court has announced his plans to retire at the end of the year instead of running for reelection. Stanley made the announcement on Thursday, February 5, saying, "It’s time to let somebody else do it."[1]
Former judge files lawsuit for a return to bench
Arkansas: Willard Proctor, who was removed from his seat on the 6ht Circuit Court, has filed a lawsuit demanding that he be returned to the bench and allowed to run for reelection. He has filed the suit against the state of Arkansas, the state Supreme Court, Pulaski County Judge Floyd Villines, Circuit Judge Vann Smith and the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission saying that he was discriminated against for his race by a system that frequently violates its own rules.[1]
Judicial appointments announced for Arkansas
Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas announced a judicial appointment on Thursday, January 18 to replace Harvey Yates. The appointment was Olly Neal for the First Judicial District.[1]
Arkansas interim judge resigns
Little Rock, Arkansas: Judge Harvey Yates will no longer serve on the 1st Judicial Circuit as of February 1st. He announced his resignation because he would cease to receive retirement pay, lose social security income, and be forced to give up his mediation business whilst serving as an interim judge. Yates had been appointed to fill the post left by Judge L.T. Simes, II.[1]
Arkansas judge removed from bench
Arkansas: The Arkansas Supreme Court removed Willard Proctor Jr. from his Sixth Arkansas Judicial Circuit position on Monday, January 25. He was removed on the grounds of ethical misconduct after defending himself by telling the judge that his "intentions were pure."[1]
Akansas attorney faces suspension
Arkansas: N. Donald Jenkins Jr., the Van Buren city attorney, faces suspension, in addition to other sanctions, unless he can stay the opinion of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Judge Jim Hannah affirmed a disciplinary tribunal ruling that said Jenkins should be suspended and fined for violating the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct.[1]
Arkansas Supreme Court rules against state library
Arkansas: The Arkansas Supreme Court refused, without comment, to rehear a decision where it was ruled that Central Arkansas Library System collected $1.5 million early from a library property tax increase in Little Rock. The hearing for how and when a refund will be handled has been sent to a lower circuit court.[1]
Replacement justice appointed to Arkansas Supreme Court
Arkansas: Ron Sheffield was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe in January of 2010 to the Arkansas Supreme Court. Beebe appointed him to fill the seat of retired justice Annabelle Clinton Imber when the previous appointee, William H. Bowen, had to step down after only a week in office due to poor health. A special election will be held this year to determine who will serve out the remaining years of Imber's term. [1]
Governor Beebe said of the appointment: "Ron Sheffield has the knowledge and experience with the Supreme Court to hit the ground running. The unique circumstances of this appointment mean shouldering a significant caseload immediately, and Ron is well-qualified to accomplish this with the skill and honor befitting our Supreme Court." [2]
Arkansas circuit judge defends himself againt the state supreme court
Little Rock, Arkansas: Pulaski County Circuit Judge Willard Proctor Jr. acted as his own attorney in defending himself against the Arkansas Supreme Court in an attempt to get them to overturn an earlier decision by the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission’s that removed him from office. He was removed for having too close of relationships with defendants enrolled in his Cycle Breakers probation program. Proctor's defense actually quotes the original panel ruling, adding that his "intentions were pure." [1]
Arkansas Supreme Court justice resigns due to health
Little Rock, Arkansas: William H. Bowen, a Supreme Court justice for the state of Arkansas, resigned from his post on the 13th of January after having a "stroke-like episode." The 86 year old man has stepped down from his position after having only been there for a week. He was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe after Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber resigned, but soon fell ill.[1]
Bowen said that he has been released from the hospital and is feeling better.[1]
Bill Bowen appointed to Arkansas Supreme Court
Arkansas: Governor Mike Beebe has appointed William H. Bowen to serve a year of retiring justice Annabelle Clinton Imber's term on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Imber will retire from the court effective January 1, 2010 due to poor health, and Bowen will take over her seat for the following year. A special election will be held in May of 2010 to elect a justice to serve out the remainder of her term, which expires in 2014. [1]
Bowen is a Naval veteran of World War II and former chief of staff for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. He spent 17 years in the private practice of law, and 20 years in the banking industry. In 1995, Bowen became the Dean of the UALR School of Law, which was renamed in his honor in 2000. [2]
Governor Beebe said of the appointment: "There is no questioning Bill Bowen's integrity, knowledge and experience. Along with his inability to remain retired, Arkansas again has the chance to benefit from Bill's willingness to serve. He is truly an Arkansas institution." [2]
Record sealing policy reversed
Arkansas: Arrest affidavits for defendants in the 11th Judicial District-West (Jefferson and Lincoln counties) will no longer be automatically sealed. Circuit court judges made the change after the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette questioned the practice, which had been unique in Arkansas to the 11th District-West.
Open records advocates have praised the change. "This is the right call, and I’m pleased to see it," according to Rick Peltz, professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s law school and an open-records expert.
Arrest affidavits had been sealed in the district for at least the previous decade. The practice is said to have gotten it's start when local newspaper Pine Bluff Commercial began printing affidavit details, and there was concern that it would taint the juror pool.
Peltz gave little credence to that notion, saying: "The law is pretty clear: You have to respond to a specific threat of jury taint or a specific problem. You can’t just have a general rule of no access. Presumption has to run in favor of access." [1]
Judges Reverse Sealed Records Policy
(3/19/09) "Arrest affidavits for defendants in Jefferson and Lincoln counties will no longer be automatically sealed."
Arkansas justices to decide lottery proposal's fate
(10/14/08) The supreme court considers blocking a lottery proposal for the 2008 general election; the lottery would be state-run.
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds payday lender's $1.4 million in fines
(4/17/2008) The owner of an illegal ring of payday lending businesses was ordered to pay $1.4 million in fines; in so doing, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision.
References
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The Arkansas Project on Judgepedia
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