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: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 69
Docket Number: CR-23-400
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 70
Docket Number: CR-23-441
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 68
Docket Number: CR-23-630
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 ARK. 67
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 60
Docket Number: CR-22-450
Justia Opinion Summary: In 2018, John Patrick Cullen pleaded nolo contendere to second-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to seventy-two months' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction or sentence. In 2021 and 2022, Cullen filed…
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 61
Docket Number: CR-22-670
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Damien Echols, one of the "West Memphis Three," who was convicted for the murder of three eight-year-old boys in 1993. Echols, along with Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, were found guilty, with…
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 64
Docket Number: CR-23-318
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 63
Docket Number: CR-23-646
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 65
Docket Number: CV-23-477
Justia Opinion Summary: In Arkansas, attorney Chris Corbitt and other plaintiffs sought to challenge the prohibition of firearms in courthouses. Corbitt had previously attempted to bring a firearm into the Pulaski County District Courthouse and…
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 58
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 59
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 49
Docket Number: CR-23-602
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the conviction of Leashebia Davis for capital murder. The incident occurred on May 4, 2020, when Elvis Kendal was shot and killed. Davis was charged with capital murder on July 1, 2020, and was…
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 50
Docket Number: CV-22-739
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a dispute over a medical marijuana cultivation license issued by the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission to Bennett Scott “Storm” Nolan II. 2600 Holdings, LLC, an unsuccessful applicant for the…
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 54
Docket Number: CV-23-375
Justia Opinion Summary: Jessie Hill, a prisoner serving life imprisonment without parole for capital murder and an additional 720 months for first-degree murder, filed multiple pro se petitions for writ of habeas corpus. He claimed double…
Date: April 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 Ark. 48
Docket Number: CV-23-377
Justia Opinion Summary: David Stewart, an inmate, appealed the denial of his pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus. He argued that his conviction for two counts of sexual assault violated the prohibition against double jeopardy and that a…
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