The Association’s House of Delegates voted to support the appointment of a task force to examine issues with the current judicial election process. The task force was specifically asked to address the following issues:
1. Whether Judges in Arkansas should continue to be elected or whether an appointment process would be more appropriate.
2. If an appointment process is recommended, should it apply to all Judges or only Appellate Judges?
3. If an appointment system is recommended, how should the appointment process be structured?
4. Should some specific level of financial contribution to a Judge's campaign cause automatic recusal of that Judge regarding cases involving the contributor?
5. What safeguards can be used in order to best protect the judicial election process from the influence of "dark money"?
It is anticipated that the Task Force will present their recommendations to the House of Delegates at their June 18, 2016 meeting. The Task Force members are listed below.
Jon Comstock, Chair
Associate Dean Theresa Beiner
Robert Cearley
Bob Estes
Judge David Guthrie
Scott Hardin
Paul Keith
Professor Mark Killenbeck
Marie-Bernarde Miller
Brant Perkins
Troy Price
Brian Ratcliff
Representative Matthew Shephard
Judge Mary Spencer McGowan
Justin Tate
Guy Wade
David H. Williams
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Eddie Walker Jr.
Walker, Shock & Harp, PLLC
Fort Smith AR
479-783-5000
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