Justia Arkansas Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court denying Petitioner's petition for writ of habeas corpus, holding that Petitioner's statutory and constitutional claims did not raise jurisdictional issues that entitled him to habeas relief.Petitioner was convicted of capital murder and first-degree battery and sentenced to a life sentence plus consecutive twenty-four sentences. The Supreme Court affirmed on direct appeal. Petitioner later brought this petition alleging that he was not named in the body of the criminal information and that he was not identified in the document, and therefore, the trial court lacked jurisdiction over him. The circuit court denied the habeas corpus petition. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court had personal and subject-matter jurisdiction over Petitioner. View "Lee v. Payne" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court vacated the order of the circuit court declaring Act 1002 of 2021 to be unconstitutional and permanently enjoining its enforcement, holding that the circuit court did not have subject matter jurisdiction to enter the order.The Act, codified at Ark. Code Ann. 20-7-144, prohibited state agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and local and state officials from mandating the use of face masks, face shields, or other face coverings. Two lawsuits were filed seeking to declare the Act unconstitutional and enjoin its enforcement. The circuit court consolidated the cases, enjoined enforcement of the Act, and preliminary declared the Act unconstitutional in violation of the separation of powers and equal protection clauses of the state Constitution. The Supreme Court vacated the order below, holding that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction to enter the final order because an interlocutory appeal was still pending. View "State v. McClane" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the trial court denying and dismissing Appellant's pro se petition to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. 16-90-111, holding that Appellant failed to demonstrate that his sentences were illegal.After a jury trial, Appellant was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced as a habitual offender to eighty years' imprisonment. In his petition to correct an illegal sentence, Appellant asserted that the application of Ark. Code Ann. 5-4-501(c) to enhance his sentence was illegal and that the enhanced sentence violated the prohibition against the ex post facto application of criminal statutes. The trial court denied relief. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Appellant failed to demonstrate that his enhanced sentence was an illegal sentence pursuant to section 16-90-111. View "Rainer v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant's convictions for two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes and his sentence of consecutive terms of life in prison for each murder, holding that Defendant was not entitled to relief on his claims of error.On appeal, Defendant argued that the testimony of surviving victim Lajhonta Collier identifying Defendant as the perpetrator was erroneously admitted and that the State presented insufficient evidence to support the convictions. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) substantial evidence supported the jury's verdict; and (2) the circuit court did not clearly err in determining that Defendant's pretrial identification was not constitutionally improper. View "Wilson v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the circuit court denying Defendant's Rule 37 petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel during his criminal trial, holding that there was no error or abuse of discretion.Defendant was convicted of and sentenced to death for capital murder. The Supreme Court affirmed. Defendant later filed a petition for postconviction relief arguing that his trial counsel were constitutionally ineffective for multiple reasons. The circuit court denied the petition. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Defendant's allegations of error were unavailing. View "Holland v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the trial court denying Appellant's petition for postconviction relief filed pursuant to Ark. R. Crim. P. 37.1, holding that Appellant failed to demonstrate entitlement to Rule 37.1 relief.After a second jury trial, Appellant was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement. The convictions and sentences were affirmed on appeal. Appellant subsequently brought his petition for postconviction relief, alleging ineffective assistance of appellate counsel and pretrial counsel. The trial court denied relief. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the trial court did not err by denying the petition without a hearing. View "Sirkaneo v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the circuit court dismissing without prejudice Appellants' claims against Appellees, the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas System and others, holding that the circuit court did not err by determining that Appellants lacked standing and that their claims were unripe and nonjusticiable.Appellants, tenured factual members employed by the University of Arkansas System, filed on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated a complaint against the Board seeking declaratory and injunctive relief based on alleged violations of both federal and state law. The Board filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that claims should be dismissed based on lack of standing, unripeness, and failure to state a claim. The circuit court granted the motion. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the circuit court correctly dismissed Appellants' claims. View "Palade v. Board of Trustees" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court denied Appellant's pro se petition to reinvest jurisdiction in the trial court to consider a petition for writ of error coram nobis, for issuance of a writ of habaes corpus, and to correct an illegal sentence, holding that Appellant failed to raise cognizable grounds for coram nobis relief.Appellant was convicted of aggravated robbery and aggravated residential burglary. As grounds for a writ of error coram nobis, alleging that there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction, his counsel provided ineffective assistance, the trial court committed evidentiary error, and he was arrested illegally. The Supreme Court denied the petition, holding that Appellant did not raise cognizable grounds for coram nobis relief and that Appellant failed to proceed with due diligence in bringing his claims. View "Dobbins v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the circuit court convicting Appellant of capital murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and theft of property but remanded for the circuit court to correct the sentencing order, holding that there was no reversible error.Specifically, the Supreme Court held (1) the circuit court did not err in denying Appellant's motion for directed verdict on the capital-murder, kidnapping, and aggravated-robbery charges; (2) the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in denying Defendant's motion to suppress; (3) due to a discrepancy between the sentencing order and the pronouncement of sentence, this matter must be remanded for the court to correct the order; (4) the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in admitting three exhibits over Appellant's hearsay objections; (5) the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the State to question Appellant about three prior bad acts; and (6) Appellant was not entitled to relief on his remaining claims of error. View "Smith v. State" on Justia Law

The Supreme Court reversed the order of the circuit court enjoining the enforcement of the Bentonville School District's mask policy in favor of Plaintiffs, parents of school children, holding that the the circuit court abused its discretion in granting Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO).In granting the TRO, the circuit court concluded that the school policy at issue violated Plaintiffs' right under Ark. Const. art. II, 21 and 29 to care for their children and that the District lacked the authority to issue the mask policy. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that (1) the circuit court abused its discretion in finding that the policy violated Plaintiffs' constitutional rights and was enacted without proper authority; and (2) Plaintiffs failed to show that irreparable harm would result in the absence of a TRO. View "Bentonville School District v. Sitton" on Justia Law