Arkansas Supreme Court Decisions
Established in 1836, the Arkansas Supreme Court derives its authority from Article 7, Section 4 and Amendment 80, Section 2 of the Arkansas Constitution. It consists of seven justices, including a Chief Justice, a Vice Chief Justice, and five Associate Justices. In addition to reviewing appeals from lower courts and conducting special proceedings under Article 6 of the Arkansas Constitution, the Court oversees lower state courts and attorneys in Arkansas.
To be eligible to serve as a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, a candidate must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Arkansas for more than two years. They must have practiced law for at least the last eight years, and they must have good moral character. Justices are elected in eight-year terms, but the Governor of Arkansas has the authority to make interim appointments if a seat becomes vacant in the middle of a term. A justice who receives an interim appointment cannot run for that seat in the next election. The same election rules apply to the Chief Justice and the Vice Chief Justice as to the Associate Justices.
The judicial discipline and disability commission in Arkansas may recommend the removal, suspension, censure, or retirement of a justice. However, the Arkansas Supreme Court will make the final decision on whether to follow this recommendation. A justice alternatively may be removed if they are impeached by the Arkansas House of Representatives in a majority vote and then convicted by the Arkansas Senate in a two-thirds vote. After the conviction, the Governor will make the final decision on whether to remove the justice.
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Recent Decisions From the Arkansas Supreme Court
Date: May 16, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 93
Date: May 16, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 87
Docket Number: CR-23-697
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Raymond Bailey, a probationer who signed a waiver allowing law enforcement to conduct warrantless searches of his person, residence, and vehicle. In June 2020, North Little Rock Police observed…
Date: May 16, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 90
Docket Number: CV-22-190
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court of Arkansas reviewed four acts passed by the Arkansas General Assembly that were challenged by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and other appellees. The acts in question were Acts 736, 973, 249,…
Date: May 16, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 90
Docket Number: CV-22-190
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court of Arkansas reviewed a case involving four acts passed by the Arkansas General Assembly concerning the election process. The League of Women Voters of Arkansas and other appellees challenged the…
Date: May 16, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 86
Docket Number: CV-23-416
Justia Opinion Summary: A group of online travel companies (OTCs), including Hotels.com, Expedia, and Priceline, were found liable by the Jefferson County Circuit Court for unpaid taxes under several Arkansas tax statutes. The court ordered the…
Date: May 13, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 84
Docket Number: CV-24-295
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 77
Docket Number: CR-23-710
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the appellant, Jacovan Bush, who was convicted of capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, aggravated robbery, and theft of property. The charges stemmed from an incident where men broke…
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 81
Docket Number: CR-23-745
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Maurice Richardson, who was convicted of second-degree murder, rape, and abuse of a corpse. The victim, Tonia Tran, was found suffocated to death, severely beaten, and with vaginal injuries.…
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 79
Docket Number: CR-23-747
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 78
Docket Number: CV-23-633
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 80
Docket Number: CV-23-720
Date: May 9, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 82
Docket Number: CV-23-721
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 76
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 71
Docket Number: CR-23-574
Justia Opinion Summary: The appellant, Daryl Jason Scarbrough, was convicted of capital murder and aggravated robbery by the Pulaski County Circuit Court and sentenced to life imprisonment with an additional forty-year term. Scarbrough appealed…
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 74
Docket Number: CV-23-653
Justia Opinion Summary: This case involves a dispute between Union Pacific Railroad Company and its employee, Randy G. Franklin. Franklin, a long-time employee of Union Pacific, brought a gun to work and stored it in his locked vehicle, which…
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