Administrative Orders of the Supreme Court

Order 1. Special Judges

Section 1.

Rules text
When the judge of a circuit court shall fail to attend on any day scheduled for the holding of that court, or if such a judge is disqualified from presiding in any pending case, upon notice from the clerk of the court, the regular practicing attorneys attending the court may elect a special judge. The attorneys present in the courtroom shall elect one of their number as special judge. The election shall be conducted by the clerk of the court, who will accept nominations from the attorneys present. Only attorneys who are qualified to serve as special judge may vote in the election of a special judge. The election shall be by secret ballot. The attorney receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected as special judge. He shall immediately be sworn in by the clerk and shall immediately enter upon the duties of the office. He shall adjudicate those causes pending at the time of his election.

Section 2.

Rules text
When a special judge is to be elected, notice shall be given by the clerk of the court to the regular practicing attorneys in the county served by the court in the most practical manner in the circumstances, including giving notice by telephone or by posting the notice in a public and conspicuous place in the courtroom.

Section 3.

Rules text
No person who is not an attorney regularly engaged in the practice of law in the State of Arkansas and duly licensed and in good standing to do so, and who is not a resident possessed of the qualifications required of an elector of this state, whether registered to vote or not, shall be elected special judge.

Section 4.

Rules text
For purposes of this rule, each division of circuit court in a county shall be considered to be a separate court.

Section 5.

Rules text
The clerk of the court in the county in which the special judge election is held shall make a record of the proceedings, which shall be a part of the record of the court and shall be in substantially the following form:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ____________________________________________________ COUNTY, ARKANSAS

IN THE MATTER OF ______________________________________________________________ SPECIAL JUDGE

Now on this ________ day of ____________________, ______, the Honorable ______________________________, notified the clerk that he/she was unable to attend and preside over this court on this day. WHEREUPON, the Clerk gave notice pursuant to Administrative Order No. 1 that an election was to be held for a Special Judge to preside during the absence of said Judge.

AND THEREAFTER, the Honorable ____________________, an attorney at law, a resident of the State of Arkansas and possessing the required qualifications, having received a majority of the votes cast at such special election, at which only the practicing attorneys in attendance on the Court were allowed to vote, was found and declared to be duly elected Special Judge to preside during the absence of the Honorable ______________.

WHEREUPON, the Clerk did administer the oath of office required by law as such Special Judge and he/she assumed the bench and entered upon the discharge of his/her duties herein.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Clerk

OATH OF OFFICE

STATE OF ARKANSAS )

)

COUNTY OF __________ )

I, ______________________________________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Special Judge of Curcuit Court, _____________ Division, __________________________ County, upon which I am about to enter.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Special Judge

Witnesses

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ________ day of ______ ________________, ______.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Circuit Clerk

By:

_______________________________________________________________________________

Deputy Clerk

History
History. Adopted December 21, 1987, effective March 14, 1988; amended May 24, 2001, effective July 1, 2001

 

Order 2. Dockets and Other Records

(a)  Docket. The clerk shall keep a book known as a "civil docket," designated by the prefix "CV"; a book known as a "probate docket," designated by the prefix "PR"; a book known as a "domestic relations docket," designated by the prefix "DR"; a book known as a "criminal docket," designated by the prefix "CR"; and a book known as a "juvenile docket," designated by the prefix "JV". Each action shall be entered in the appropriate docket book. Cases shall be assigned the letter prefix corresponding to that docket and a number in the order of filing. Beginning with the first case filed each year, cases shall be numbered consecutively in each docket category with the four digits of the current year, followed by a hyphen and the number assigned to the case, beginning with the number "1". For example: 

   criminal              CR2002-1 

   civil              CV2002-1 

   probate              PR2002-1 

   domestic relations               DR2002-1 

   juvenile              JV2002-1 

   All papers filed with the clerk, all process issued and returns thereon, all appearances, orders, verdicts and judgments shall be noted chronologically in the dockets and filed in the folio assigned to the action and shall be marked with its file number. These entries shall be brief, but shall show the nature of each paper filed or writ issued and the substance of each order or judgment of the court and of the returns showing execution of process. The entry of an order or judgment shall show the date the entry is made. Where there has been a demand for trial by jury it shall be shown on the docket along with the date upon which demand was made. In counties where the county clerk serves as the ex officio clerk of any division of the circuit court, the filing requirement for any pleading, paper, order, judgment, decree, or notice of appeal shall be satisfied when the document is filed with either the circuit clerk or the county clerk. 
    (b)  Judgments and Orders.  
    (1)  The clerk shall keep a judgment record book in which shall be kept a correct copy of every final judgment or appealable order, or order affecting title to or lien upon real or personal property, and any other order which the court may direct to be kept. 
    (2)  The clerk shall denote the date and time that a judgment, decree or order is filed by stamping or otherwise marking it with the date and time and the word "filed." A judgment, decree or order is entered when so stamped or marked by the clerk, irrespective of when it is recorded in the judgment record book. 
    (3)  If the clerk's office has a facsimile machine, the clerk shall accept facsimile transmission of a judgment, decree or order filed in such manner at the direction of the court. The clerk shall stamp or otherwise mark a facsimile copy as filed on the date and time that it is received on the clerk's facsimile machine during the regular hours of the clerk's office or, if received outside those hours, at the time the office opens on the next business day. The date stamped on the facsimile copy shall control all appeal-related deadlines pursuant to Rule 4 of the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure - Civil. The original judgment, decree or order shall be substituted for the facsimile copy within fourteen days of transmission. 
    (4)  At any time that the clerk's office is not open for business, and upon an express finding of extraordinary circumstances set forth in an order, any judge may make any order effective immediately by signing it, noting the time and date thereon, and marking or stamping it "filed in open court." Any such order shall be filed with the clerk on the next day on which the clerk's office is open, and this filing date shall control all appeal-related deadlines pursuant to Rule 4 of the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure - Civil. 
    (c)  Indices. Suitable indices of the civil, probate, domestic relations, criminal, and juvenile dockets and of every judgment or order referred to in Section (b) of this rule shall be kept by the clerk under the direction of the court. 
    (d)  Other Books and Records. The clerk shall also keep such other books and records as may be required by law and as directed by the Supreme Court. 
    (e)  Uniform Paper Size. All records prepared by the clerk shall be on 81/2" x 11" paper. 
    (f)  Clerk Defined. When used herein, the term clerk refers to the clerks of the various circuit courts of the state; provided, that in the event probate matters are required by law to be filed in the office of county clerk, then the term clerk shall also include the county clerk for this limited purpose. 

History. Adopted December 21, 1987, effective March 14, 1988; amended May 15, 1989; amended July 17, 1989; amended October 12, 1989; amended January 22, 1998; amended June 24, 1999; amended December 9, 1999, effective January 1, 2000; amended May 24, 2001, subsections (a)-(e) effective January 1, 2002, subsection  (f) effective July 1, 2001; amended March 13, 2003; amended February 10, 2005

Publisher's Notes. This order supersedes ARCP 79. 

The May 15, 1989 Per Curiam read: "In our per curiam order of December 19, 1988, we suspended our earlier order on the subject of doing away with the practice of abstracting the record for appeal and substituting a practice by which the parties would submit an appendix or appendices. We took that action because we wished to examine the possibility of changing from the use of legal size paper to letter size paper in all the courts, and we became aware that unless the changes occurred at the same time, appendices would likely be composed of paper of a different size from that of any brief we might permit to be filed, and that appendices might be composed of documents of varying paper sizes. The accompanying possible handling and storage problems made it seem a good idea to put off the changes until we had sought the recommendation of our Committee on Rules of Pleading, Practice, and Procedure (Civil). 

"We have now received a recommendation from the committee along with suggestions as to the rules which should be revised to accomplish the change in paper size. 

"In addition to the committee's recommendations, we have studied those submitted by lawyers, judges, law firms, and lawyers' associations submitted in response to our earlier request for comments on the basic rules we proposed for the purpose of moving to the system of appendices rather than abstracts. Many of those suggestions have been implemented in the amendments we publish today. 

"As we noted in our per curiam order of October 17, 1988, on this subject, we wish to have a trial period. These amendments will become effective this date; however, any case in which the appellant's brief is submitted or becomes due between now and December 31, 1989, may be presented in accordance with the rules in effect up until today. That will give this court sufficient time to observe the new practice. If we choose to retain the new system, we will be able to make that decision prior to the publication of the 1989 revision of the Rules Book which accompanies the Arkansas Code Annotated. The rules requiring appendices rather than abstracts may then be made permanent. 

"During the trial period an appellant will be in the position of choosing the manner in which the briefs will be presented. If the appellant chooses to present a brief with an appendix rather than an abstract, then the appellee will be required to proceed in accordance with the new rules. If the appellant chooses to work under the abstract system, the appellee will do so also. 

"While we may well decide, depending on the results of the trial period, to retain the abstracting practice, we will make permanent the changes with respect to paper size and doing away with printed briefs. Judges, clerks, lawyers, court reporters and others thus will have until January 1, 1990, to prepare to present all legal documents on 81/2" by 11" paper. 

"The purposes of these changes are to decrease the cost of appellate litigation, increase the ease and accuracy of the evaluation of cases at the appellate level, and provide uniformity as well as compatibility with the age of the word processor in the case of the paper size. We acknowledge and appreciate the comments we received from members of the bench and bar, and we count on continued cooperation as we evaluate the appendix system." 

The October 2, 1989 Per Curiam read: "By per curiam order of May 15, 1989, we published changes of court rules necessary to implement a system of appeals using appendices rather than abstracts of record. The order also provided for a change to a uniform 81/2" by 11" paper size to be used in all courts. The order provided that the changes with respect to paper size would come into effect January 1, 1990. The other changes having to do with using appendices rather than abstracts of record on appeal went into effect on May 15, 1989, but permitted an appellant to choose to follow the rules in effect until that date for cases in which the appellant's brief was submitted or became due between May 15, 1989, and December 31, 1989. 

"We have reviewed the appeals now ready for submission and those which will be ready prior to December 31, 1989. Most appellants have chosen to follow the old rules. We have concluded we will not be able to decide the relative merits of the two methods by the end of this year because we will have had too little experience with appendices. The trial period is, therefore, extended until July 15, 1990. Any case in which the appellant's brief is submitted or becomes due prior to July 15, 1990, may be presented in accordance with the rules in effect up until May 15, 1989. 

"The paper size changes are not affected by this order. All courts will begin using 81/2" by 11" paper no later than January 1, 1990." 

The June 10, 1991 Per Curiam read: "On and after August 1, 1991, all briefs submitted to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals will be accompanied by abstracts of record, as provided in Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Rule 9. We will no longer accept briefs including appendices. 

"The Per Curiam Order by which we created a trial period for experimental changes in our Rules was issued May 15, 1989, entitled, "In re: Amendments to the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Orders, the Rules of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and the Inferior Court Rules." In that Order we made it clear that the rules changes having to do with the appendix experiment were adopted on a trial basis but that the changes no longer allowing printed briefs and establishing uniform paper size were to be permanent. We hereby revoke the changes, other than those having to do with printed briefs and paper size, which provided for submitting appendices rather than abstracts. We retain the changes with respect to paper size. 

"The reason for ending the appendix experiment at this time is that we have found that it adds to the difficulty of, and time consumed in, reading briefs. If our case load and that of the Court of Appeals were not so great, we would be less willing to revert entirely to the abstracting system. Given the numbers of cases we must decide to remain current with our docket, however, we cannot tolerate the additional work we find the appendix system to have caused. 

"The experiment with the appendix system began with our Per Curiam Order of October 17, 1988, creating a trial period for testing the new system which, with one intermission and two extensions, was to end March 1, 1991. As was expected, there were difficulties in adapting to the change. The main one from our perspective was the problem of expansion of the statement of the case, with appropriate appendix references, to an extent which would save members of the Court from having to scour the appendix for factual details. 

"If we find a way to bring our case load and that of the Court of Appeals within reason, we may return to the appendix system, with some revisions, because we continue to wish to implement the goals stated in our original order. We would like our system to be as inexpensive and simple as possible. Under other circumstances we will be able to exercise the patience required to permit lawyers and litigants to become accustomed to the change and to fine tune it with revisions." 

The first 1999 amendment of this Rule added the subdivision (1) and (2) designations in (b); in (b)(2), added the second sentence; and added (b)(3) and (4). New subdivision (b)(3) provides that judgments, decrees, and orders may be filed with the clerk by facsimile transmission if the court so directs. New subdivision (b)(4) addresses emergency situations when an order needs to be effective immediately, but the clerk's office is not open. This amendment to subsection (b) of Administrative Order No. 2 became effective June 24, 1999. 

The second 1999 amendment to this order substituteds "four digits" for "the last two digits" in the second sentence of subsection (a). This change was necessitated by the coming of the year 2000. Instead of two digits (9901) for the docket year, the case number will be four digits (2000-1). This amendment to subsection (a) of Administrative Order No. 2 became effective January 1, 2000. 

Addition to Reporter's Notes (1999): - Subdivision (c)(2) of this rule does not authorize the filing of judgments, decrees or orders by facsimile transmission. However, Administrative Order No. 2(b), as amended in 1999, requires any clerk's office with a facsimile machine to "accept facsimile transmission of a judgment, decree or order filed in such manner at the direction of the court." The faxed judgment, decree or order is effective when entered by the clerk. To ensure the permanency of official court records, the original judgment, decree or order must be substituted for the facsimile copy within 14 days of transmission, but this step does not have any bearing on the effectiveness of the faxed document or the time for taking an appeal. 

Addition to Reporter's Notes (2000): - The second paragraph of this rule provides that a judgment or decree "is effective only when ... set forth [on a separate document] and entered as provided in Administrative Order No. 2." As amended in 1999 [effective 1/1/00], Administrative Order No. 2(b) provides that a judgment, decree or order is "entered" when stamped or otherwise marked by the clerk with the time and date and the word "filed," irrespective of when it is recorded in the judgment book. When the clerk's office is not open for business, and upon an express finding of extraordinary circumstances, an order is effective immediately when signed by the judge. Such order must be filed with the clerk on the next day on which the clerk's office is open, and this filing date controls all appeal-related deadlines. 

The amendment to Administrative Order No. 2(b) also requires any clerk's office with a facsimile machine to "accept facsimile transmission of a judgment, decree or order filed in such manner at the direction of the court." The faxed judgment, decree or order is effective when entered by the clerk. To ensure the permanency of official court records, the original judgment, decree or order must be substituted for the facsimile copy within 14 days of transmission, but this step does not have any bearing on the effectiveness of the faxed document or the time for taking an appeal. 

Order 3. Trial Briefs — Trial and Appellate Court Decisions — Time Limitations and Reports

1.  Trial briefs. All matters which are under submission to a trial judge should be promptly, efficiently, and fairly determined. The total time for all parties to file briefs in any case in the circuit courts is limited to a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the trial is completed and the case is ready for decision. Upon a showing or written statement of special circumstances in a particular case, the time for filing briefs may be extended, reduced, or eliminated at the discretion of the trial judge. 

2. Trial court decisions.

A. Judges of circuit courts are directed to submit to the Administrative Office of the Courts at the end of each calendar quarter, reports of cases which have been under advisement for more than ninety (90) days after final submission. These reports are to be submitted on forms supplied by the Administrative Office of the Courts. In cases which have been pending for more than ninety (90) days after final submission, the quarterly report shall include the date when the case was submitted and a statement of the reasons necessitating the delay in rendering a decision. If there are no cases which are pending for that length of time, the report shall simply state "none."

B. For purposes of subdivision 2(A) of this order, civil cases under final submission include those with motions submitted for decision that could result in the resolution or dismissal of the case, as well as those cases that have been fully tried and submitted on their merits. If a civil case has been fully tried, or a potentially dispositive motion argued at a hearing, then the case shall be under final submission at the conclusion of the trial or hearing, or on the date any post-trial or post-hearing briefing is filed, whichever last occurs. If no hearing is held on a potentially dispositive motion, then the case shall be under final submission on the date a party files with the circuit clerk a copy of a letter notifying the circuit judge that the motion is ready for decision. The letter shall enclose copies of all the filed papers relating to the motion and reflect service on all other counsel of record.

C. For purposes of subdivision 2(A) of this order, a motion, application, or petition requesting post-conviction relief in a criminal case, including a petition under Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 37, shall be considered under final submission on the date that the petitioner files with the circuit clerk a copy of a letter notifying the circuit judge that the motion, application, or petition has been filed. The letter to the judge shall enclose all copies of pleadings and documents relating to the motion, application, or petition and shall reflect service on the prosecuting attorney. If, within ninety (90) days of the date on which the letter is filed with the circuit clerk, the judge sets a hearing on the motion, application, or petition, then the date on which the petition is considered under final submission shall be extended until the date on which the hearing concludes or the date on which the last post-hearing briefing is filed, whichever last occurs.

D. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall promptly review all reports filed by the trial courts, and if it determines that the delay in any case was not caused by the parties or their counsel, it shall recommend to the Supreme Court a judge to be assigned or appointed to dispose of the delayed case.

E. Willful noncompliance with the provisions of the order shall constitute grounds for discipline under the provisions of Canon 3 B (8) of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct. Any judge whose quarterly report is not received by the 15th of the month following the end of the previous quarter (i.e., January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15) will be automatically referred to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission for possible discipline.

    3.  Appellate court decisions.  
    A.  Justices and Judges of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are directed to submit to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the end of each quarter a report of any case in which an opinion has not been issued within sixty (60) days from the case's submission. The report shall include a statement of the reason necessitating the delay in issuing an opinion. 
    B.  The Supreme Court will review the reasons given for delay in any reported case and make any reassignment or take any appropriate action necessary to dispose of the case. 
    C.  Willful noncompliance with the provisions of this order shall constitute grounds for discipline under the provisions of Canon 3B(8) of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct. 
    4.  Effective date. This order shall become effective commencing January 1, 1991, and the initial quarterly reports shall be filed on or before March 31, 1991, and the last day of each quarterly month thereafter. 

COURT’S NOTES, 2007:

New subdivision (2)(B) has been added to clarify when, for purposes of this order, the circuit court takes civil cases under final submission. For dispositive motions where no hearing is held, the order now obligates counsel (or a pro se party) to write the court and provide copies of all the motions, thus fixing a clear submission date. This letter must also be served on all parties and filed with the circuit clerk. Former subdivisions (2)(B) and (2)(C)) have been renumbered.

New subdivision 2(C) addresses Rule 37 petitions and similar post-conviction motions in criminal cases. Rule 37.3(a) permits the circuit court to dispose of a Rule 37 petition without a hearing based on the files and records of the case. Subdivision 2(C) requires the circuit judge to report Rule 37 petitions that have not been so disposed within ninety (90) days after the petitioner files the notification letter described in the subdivision. If within that 90-day period, the judge schedules a hearing on the petition, as provided in Rule 37.3(c), then the petition is not considered under final submission until ninety (90) days after the later of the conclusion of the hearing or the filing of any post-hearing briefs.

Subdivision 2(C) does not apply to post-trial motions filed under Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 33.3. Pursuant to Rule of Appellate Procedure - Criminal 2(b)(1), such motions are deemed denied on the 30th day after the entry of judgment, unless the court denies the motion before that date. Consequently, a circuit court should never have a Rule 33.3 post-trial motion under advisement for more than ninety (90) days.

History. Adopted November 19, 1990, effective January 1, 1991; amended December 23, 1996; amended May 24, 2001, effective July 1, 2001; amended September 27, 2001; amended October 18, 2001

Publisher's Notes. The Dec. 23, 1996, Per Curiam provided, in part: "The addition of the second sentence in subsection (2)(C) with respect to the late filing of quarterly reports shall become effective with the reports due March 31, 1997, which must be filed no later than April 15, 1997." 

Order 4. Verbatim Trial Record

(a) Verbatim Record. Unless waived on the record by the parties, it shall be the duty of any circuit court to require that a verbatim record be made of all proceedings, including any communications between the court and one or more members of the jury, pertaining to any contested matter before the court or the jury.

(b) Back-up System. When making a verbatim record, an official court reporter or substitute court reporter shall always utilize a back-up system in addition to his or her primary reporting system in order to insure preservation of the record.

(c) Exhibits. Physical exhibits received or proffered in evidence shall be stored pursuant to the requirements of Section 21 of the Regulations of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners, Official Court Reporter Retention Schedule.

(d) Sanctions. Any person who fails to comply with these requirements shall be subject to the discipline provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners in addition to the enforcement powers of the court, including contempt.

History
History. Adopted May 6, 1991, effective July 1, 1991; amended May 24, 2001, effective July 1, 2001; amended February 21, 2008.

 

Order 5. Criminal Cases Where Alleged Victim Under Age Fourteen

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-10-130 (1987) provides that all courts of this state shall, in the absence of extraordinary circumstances, give precedence to the trial of criminal cases over other matters, civil or criminal, when the alleged victim is under age fourteen. Effective immediately, when a case affected by § 16-10-130 is not tried within nine months following arraignment, the circuit judge before whom the case is pending will inform the Administrative Office of the Courts in writing the reason or reasons the case has not been tried. Thereafter, at intervals of ninety (90) days the trial court will inform the Office of the Courts as to the status of the case. During the pendency of the case no continuance shall be granted on motion of either the state or the defendant except upon written order detailing the reasons for, and the duration of, the delay. 

History
History. Adopted October 5, 1992

 

Order 6. Broadcasting, Recording, or Photographing in the Courtroom

(a)  Application - Exception. This Order shall apply to all courts, circuit, district, and appellate, except as set out below. 
    (b)  Authorization. A judge may authorize broadcasting, recording, or photographing in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court, recesses between sessions, and on other occasions, provided that the participants will not be distracted, nor will the dignity of the proceedings be impaired. 
    (c)  Exceptions. The following exceptions shall apply: 
    (1)  An objection timely made by a party or an attorney shall preclude broadcasting, recording, or photographing of the proceedings; 
    (2)  The court shall inform witnesses of their right to refuse to be broadcast, recorded, or photographed, and an objection timely made by a witness shall preclude broadcasting, recording or photographing of that witness; 
    (3)  All juvenile matters in circuit court as well as hearings in probate and domestic relations matters in circuit court, e.g., adoptions, guardianships, divorce, custody, support, and paternity, shall not be subject to broadcasting, recording, or photographing. 
    (4)  In camera proceedings shall not be broadcast, recorded, or photographed except with consent of the court; 
    (5)  Jurors, minors without parental or guardian consent, victims in cases involving sexual offenses, and undercover police agents or informants shall not be broadcast, recorded, or photographed. 
    (d)  Procedure. The broadcasting, recording, or photographing of any court proceeding shall comply with the following rules: 
    (1)  The court shall direct that the news media representatives enter into a pooling arrangement for the broadcasting, recording, or photographing of a trial. Any representative of a news medium wanting to broadcast, record, or photograph court proceedings shall present to the court a written statement agreeing to share with other media representatives. The media pool shall select one of its members to serve as pool coordinator. The media pool shall establish its own procedures, not inconsistent with these rules or with the wishes of the court, and the pool coordinator shall arbitrate any problems that arise. If a problem arises that requires the assistance of the court, the pool coordinator alone shall be responsible for coordinating with the court. A plan for the placement of the broadcast equipment shall be prepared and filed by the pool coordinator, subject to the final approval of the court. 
    (2)  The court shall retain ultimate control of the application of these rules over the broadcasting, recording, or photographing of a trial. Decisions made as to the details are final and are not subject to appeal. The court may in its discretion terminate the broadcasting, recording, or photographing at any time. Such a decision should not be made in an effort to edit the proceedings but only as one necessary in the interest of justice. 
    (3)  The media pool may have two cameras in the courtroom during the course of a trial. One camera shall be used for still photography, and one camera shall be used for television photography. Both cameras shall remain in stationary positions outside the bar of the courtroom. Videotape recording and other electronic equipment not a component part of the cameras shall be located in an area remote from the courtroom to be designated by the court. 
    (4)  One additional audio system for radio broadcasting shall be permitted provided that all microphones and related essential wiring will be unobtrusive and located in places designated in advance by the basic courtroom plan. The pool coordinator shall permit the installation of a pickup distribution box to be located outside the courtroom area to allow additional agencies access to the audio feed. 
    (5)  Only television or photographic equipment that does not require distracting sound or light shall be employed to cover court proceedings. No artificial lighting device shall be employed in connection with television cameras. Any court approved alterations in existing lighting or wiring shall be accomplished by and at the expense of the media pool. 
    (6)  Camera and audio equipment shall be installed or removed only when the court is not in session. Film changes shall not be made while court is in session. No audio equipment shall be used to record conversations between attorneys and clients or conversations between attorneys and the court held outside the hearing of the jury. 
    (e)  Contempt. Failure to abide by any provision of this Order can result in a citation for contempt against the news representative and his or her agency. 

History
History. Adopted July 5, 1993; amended May 24, 2001, effective July 1, 2001

 

Order 7. Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Records Retention Schedule

Section 1. Statement of policy.

Rules text
Unless otherwise provided by law or as set forth herein, all records of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals shall be permanently maintained. 

Section 2. Transfer of permanent records.

Rules text
a.  Physical custody of any record to be maintained permanently, may be transferred to any institution which maintains a special collections department by letter agreement upon approval by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Title to records which must be permanently maintained shall remain with the Arkansas Supreme Court. 
    b.  The Clerk shall permanently maintain a log of transferred records. The log shall list record series, description of records transferred, to whom transferred, and the date of transfer. 

Section 3. Alternatives to permanent retention.

Rules text
a.  Once microfilmed in a manner approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts, any paper record may be destroyed or donated by the Clerk, regardless of the number of years stated for retention in the Retention Schedule found in Section 6 below. 
    b.  Once the period of retention has expired, or the record has been microfilmed, whichever occurs first, the paper record may be donated, transferring full title possession to any institution which maintains a special collections department. 
    c.  Any interested institution shall advise the Clerk of the institution's desire to receive notification when records become available for donation or transfer. The Clerk shall determine the recipient of the record(s) where more than one institution requests custody or custody and title. Records which are available for donation or transfer and which have not been requested within ninety (90) days of the notification shall be subject to disposal as set forth in Section 4 below. 
    d.  The Clerk shall permanently maintain a log of donated records. The log shall list record series, descriptions of records donated, to whom donated, and date of donation. 

Section 4. Disposal of records.

Rules text
a.  When records have been damaged or destroyed by decay, vermin, fire, water, or by other means which renders them illegible, the Clerk may dispose of the remains as provided in subsection b. 
    b.  Records shall be disposed of by burning, shredding, recycling, or by depositing them in a public landfill. 
    c.  Exhibits shall be disposed of as provided in Rule 3-6 of the Rules of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. 
    d.  The Clerk shall permanently maintain a log of disposed of records. The log shall list record series, descriptions of records disposed of, and method and date of disposal. 

Section 5. Records omitted.

Rules text
a.  Any record not listed in the Records Retention Schedule shall be maintained permanently or until provided for otherwise in the retention schedule. 
    b.  Omitted records should be brought to the attention of the Administrative Office of the Courts by letter which includes a description of the record, age of the record, and such photocopies as will assist in understanding the content and purpose. 
    c.  Any recommendations for changes in the Retention Schedule should be brought to the attention of the Administrative Office of the Courts. 

Section 6. Retention schedule.

Rules text
Record Type Retention Instructions 

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Docket Books:
Retain Permanently. 

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Indices:
Retain Permanently. 

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Record of Proceedings:
Retain Permanently. 

Civil Case Records and Case Files After 1940:
Retain seven (7) years after case is closed, then offer for donation. 

Criminal Case Records and Case Files After 1940:
Retain Permanently. 

Death Penalty:
Retain Permanently. 

Life without Parole:
Retain Permanently. 

Life:
Retain Permanently. 

Felony with greater than 10 year sentence:
Retain ten (10) years after case is closed, then offer for donation. 

Other criminal cases with 10 year sentence or less:
Retain five (5) years after case is closed, then offer for donation.  

Civil and Criminal Records: 

Prior to and including 1940:
Retain Permanently. 

Rule on Clerk Denied Records:
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Record and Case File.
Retain five (5) years. 

Employment Security Division: 

Case Record and Case File:
Retain three (3) years. 

Supreme Court and Court of
Appeals Opinions:

Original copy of Opinions and  Per Curiam Opinions:
Retain Permanently. 

Financial Records including: 

Supreme Court & Court of Appeals, Clerk's Office, Court Library, Appellate Committees, Personnel, Arkansas Attorneys,Arkansas Bar Account,Court Reporters, Client
Security Fund:  Vouchers, Ledgers, Receipts, Contracts, Cancelled Checks,Bank Statements, Fees, Audit Reports, Tax Reports, Social Security Reports, RetirementReports, Purchase Orders, Insurance Reports, and Requisition Reports
following legislative:
Retain three (3) years 

Other Supreme Court and Court
of Appeals Documents including: 

All case related motions, petitions, summons, mandates,and bonds, which have been filed separately from the case file.
Retain as long as Case  file is maintained. 

Original actions, motions, and petitions.
Retain seven (7) years. 

Per Curiam Orders.
Retain as long as Case file is maintained. 

Arkansas Attorney Records: 

Petitions for Licenses.
Retain Permanently. 

Student Practice, Rule 15 Petitions.
Retain five (5) years. 

Professional Association Members List.
Retain Permanently. 

Professional Association Members Receipts.
Retain three (3) years  following Legislative audit. 

Committee on Professional Conduct Files.
Retain Permanently. 

Correspondence and Misc. Letters.
Retain three (3) years. 

Certification of Registration.
Retain three (3) years. 

United States Supreme Court Records: 

US Supreme Court Mandates.
Retain as long as Case File is maintained. 

US Supreme Court Writs of Certiorari.
Retain as long as Case File is maintained. 

Other Records maintained by
Clerk's Office including:  

 Court of Appeals Motion Assignment Sheet, Court of Appeals Motion Pending file Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Syllabus, Court of Appeals Oral Argument file, Court of Appeals Submissions file, Condition of Supreme Court Docket Summary file. Immediate Disposal. 

Court Clerk Correspondence including: 

Correspondence to Civil Procedure Committee, Letters to Clerk Certifying Briefs, Employment Security Division Late Filing Correspondence, Oral Arguments Confirmation Letters, Library Delinquent Accounts Correspondence.
Immediate Disposal. 

Miscellaneous or General Correspondence:
Retain one (1) year. 

Section 7. Definitions.

Rules text
a.  Clerk. The Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. 
    b.  Immediate disposal. The record(s) may be disposed of at the discretion of the Clerk. 
    c.  Retain as long as case file is maintained. The record(s) should be returned to the case file if possible, but if this is not possible, the record shall be retained in accordance with the instructions for retention of the case file to which it would belong. 
    d.  Retain permanently. The record(s) must forever be retained by the Clerk, transferred pursuant to Section 2(a), or microfilmed pursuant to Section 3(a). 
    e.  Retain (#) years, then offer for donation. The record(s) shall be retained the specified period and then offered for donation, pursuant to Section 3. 
    f.  Retain (#) years following legislative audit. The record(s) shall be retained the specified number of years from the date of publication of the legislative audit report. 
    g.  Retain (#) years. The record(s) shall be retained for the specified period. 
    h.  Case closed. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases shall be considered closed once a mandate is issued or another written order of final disposition is entered. 
    i.  Case record. The trial court or administrative tribunal case record, and the court reporter's certified transcript, lodged with the appellate court as provided by Rules 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 of the Rules of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, as well as the attorneys' briefs. 
    j.  Case file. All correspondence, motions, petitions, orders, dispositions, and mandates issued and filed during the appellate process. 

History
History. Adopted June 20, 1994

 

Order 8. Forms for Reporting Case Information in All Arkansas Trial Courts

Section I. Scope.

Rules text
In every action filed in the circuit courts, a form designed for the uniform collection of case data shall be completed and filed with the initial pleading and again at final disposition. The forms shall be used in assigning and allocating cases and to collect statistical case data. The forms shall not be admissible as evidence in any court proceeding or replace or supplement the filing and service of pleadings, orders, or other papers as required by law or the rules of this Court. This Order in no way affects the use of the Judgment and Commitment Order or Judgment and Disposition Order in judicial proceedings as authorized by Court Rule or statute. 

Section II. Responsibility for forms.

Rules text
a.  Administrative Office of the Courts. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) shall be responsible for the content and format of the forms after consultation with other appropriate agencies or as may be required by law. The AOC shall be responsible for training in the use of these forms and for initial dissemination of the forms. 
    b.  Court clerk. The court clerk shall not accept an initial pleading which is not accompanied by the appropriate completed form. The court clerk shall maintain a supply of forms to ensure their availability to attorneys or pro se litigants. The court clerk shall weekly forward a copy of the forms which have been filed to the AOC unless the court clerk or other official as designated by the trial court reports electronically to the AOC. Those counties which report electronically should not send copies of the paper forms unless specifically requested to do so by the AOC. These forms shall replace all forms currently used for reporting case data to the AOC. For the purposes of this Administrative Order, court clerk means the elected circuit clerk, or his/her deputy clerks in whose office a pleading, order, judgment, or decree is filed, except in the event probate matters are required by law to be filed in the office of county clerk, then the term clerk shall also include the county clerk for this limited purpose. 
    c.  Multiple claims. If a complaint asserts multiple claims which involve different subject matter divisions of the circuit court, the cover sheet for that division which is most definitive of the nature of the case should be selected and completed. Attorneys or pro se litigants should be cognizant that claims which are wholly unrelated may be severed and proceeded with separately under Rule 18(b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Section III. Procedure.

Rules text
a.  Criminal cases. The office of the prosecuting attorney shall be responsible for completion of the criminal information form and for filing it in the Office of the Circuit Clerk who shall forward a copy to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b. 

   Upon conviction and sentencing to the Arkansas Department of Correction, the office of the prosecuting attorney shall be responsible for completion of the Judgment and Commitment Order. The Order shall be submitted to the circuit judge for signature and filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk. The clerk shall forward a copy to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b and to counsel of record for the defendant. 

   Where the final disposition does not result in a commitment to the Arkansas Department of Correction but may include any of the following - an order of probation, suspended imposition of sentence, commitment to the Department of Community Punishment or to the county jail, a fine, restitution, and/or court costs - the office of the prosecuting attorney shall be responsible for completion of the Judgment and Disposition Order which shall be submitted to the circuit judge for signature and filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk. The clerk shall forward a copy to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b and to counsel of record for the defendant. 

   Where the case is dismissed or nolle prossed because of the speedy trial rule, the case is transferred, or the defendant is acquitted, the office of the prosecuting attorney shall be responsible for completion of the Reporting Form for Defense-Related Dispositions which shall be submitted to the circuit judge for signature and filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk. The clerk shall forward a copy to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b and to counsel of record for the defendant. 
    b.  Civil, Probate, and Domestic Relations cases. When an action is commenced, the attorney or pro se litigant filing the initial pleading shall be responsible for completion of the filing information on the appropriate reporting form, and that form shall be filed with the court clerk. The court clerk shall not accept the pleading unless it is accompanied by the reporting form. The court clerk shall file the original in the case file and shall forward a copy of the reporting form to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b. 

   When the final order/decree/judgment is presented to the court clerk for filing, the clerk or other appropriate official as designated by the trial court shall complete with the assistance of the parties and their attorneys the disposition information on the original form in the case file. The court clerk shall not file and enter the order unless it is accompanied by the completed reporting form. The court clerk shall sign, date, and forward a copy of the completed reporting form to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b. 
    c.  Juvenile cases. When an action is commenced, unless otherwise designated by the judge, the attorney or pro se litigant filing the petition shall be responsible for completion of the filing information on the appropriate reporting form, and that form shall be filed with the court clerk. The court clerk shall not accept an initial pleading unless it is accompanied by the reporting form. The court clerk shall forward a copy of the reporting form to the AOC pursuant to Section II.b. 

   Pursuant to A.C.A. § 16-13-603(d)(2), the judge shall designate a staff person who shall be responsible for completing the disposition information on the appropriate juvenile reporting form when an order is entered and forwarding the form to the court clerk for filing. The court clerk shall not accept the order unless it is accompanied by the reporting form. The court clerk shall sign, date, and forward a copy of the reporting form to the AOC pursuant to SECTION II.b. 

History
History. Adopted February 26, 1996; amended April 14, 1997; amended December 4, 1997; amended effective July 1, 2000; amended May 24, 2001, effective July 1, 2001, except section II.(c) [Multiple claims] effective January 1, 2002; amended November 1, 2001, effective January 1, 2002

——————————
Forms

 

Rules text

 

               

 REPORTING FORM FOR DEFENSE-RELATED DISPOSITIONS

 

 [See Administrative Order Number 8, Section III (a)]

 

 IN THE __________________ COURT OF __________________

 

 COUNTY, ARKANSAS

 

 __________________ DIVISION

  State of Arkansas                  CASE NUMBER _____________________________

 
 v.

  __________________________                  ENTRY DATE _____________________

 
  (Defendant's Full Name)

  Arrest Tracking #: ________________________

  SID # ________________________

  ______________________________         ______________________________

 
   (Date of Arrest)         (Date Information Filed)

  Count # __________________________ A.C.A. § __________________________

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  [WHEN MULTIPLE COUNTS ARE INVOLVED, PLACE THE COUNT # (NOT "X" OR "______")
ON THE LINE BELOW THAT APPLIES TO EACH COUNT] 

  Non-Trial __________ Bench Trial __________ Jury Trial __________

  Acquitted __________ Acquitted because of Mental Defect __________

  Transferred __________ Transferred to Juvenile Court __________

  Dismissed with prejudice because of speedy-trial rule __________

  Nolle prossed because of speedy-trial rule __________

  This Form was submitted by: ________________________________________________

                 (Signature of Prosecuting Attorney)

  ____________________________________________________________

 
  (Circuit Judge)

  I certify this is a true and correct record of this Court.

  Date: __________________ Circuit Clerk/Deputy: __________________

 

Order 9. Compensatory Time Record Policy for Arkansas Official Court Reporters

A.  Procedures. To ensure statewide compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. § 207(o)(6)), each official court reporter shall complete all sections of the Compensatory Time Record For Arkansas Official Court Reporters form, which is appended hereto, sign the time record to certify that it correctly reports all hours worked in excess of the 40 hour work week that are not excluded by 29 U.S.C. § 207(o), and monthly submit the record to his/her appointing judge for approval. 

   The appointing judge shall approve and sign each monthly record certifying that, to the best of his/her knowledge, the time record reflects a true and accurate record of compensatory time earned for all hours worked in excess of the 40 hour work week, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"). The appointing judge shall grant the court reporter compensatory time at the rate of one and one-half times the number of hours worked in excess of the 40 hour work week pursuant to this policy. 

   For the purpose of determining the 40 hour FLSA work week, the established work week shall begin on Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and continue through Friday at 12:00 midnight. Any time excluded by 29 U.S.C. § 207(o) and any time taken off for holidays, compensatory time leave, sick leave, annual leave or any other purpose during the week shall not be counted in determining whether the employee has worked 40 hours. 

   The appointing judge shall be responsible for maintaining the approved time record and shall forward copies of the previous three months records within the first fifteen days of every calendar quarter (i.e., January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15) to the Administrative Office of the Courts ("AOC"). The time records shall be retained by the AOC for three years or until completion of an audit by the State Auditor's Office of the AOC, whichever is longer. 

   Court reporters shall be permitted to use accrued compensatory time as soon as possible when the court is not in session and without unduly disrupting the operations of the court.  The appointing judge shall approve use of compensatory time. Compensatory time may be used in lieu of sick leave or annual leave. 

   Under no circumstances shall the outstanding balance of compensatory time exceed 90 hours.  The appointing judges are responsible for ensuring that court reporters do not exceed this maximum balance of compensatory time. 

   Accrued compensatory time should be used prior to the employee's termination of employment. If accrued compensatory time is not used prior to the employee's termination of employment, the appointing judge shall hold the official court reporter position vacant for a period equivalent to the period for which accrued compensatory time is paid. The payment for compensatory time shall be at the ending rate of pay for the employee. 

   The compensatory time records for official reporters is not intended for use by substitute court reporters. Substitute court reporters shall be governed by the provisions of A.C.A. § 16-13-509 as described in the AOC publication, Arkansas State Trial Court Employee Manual. 
    B.  Enforcement.  
    (i)  The failure of court reporters to comply with the requirements of this Order shall constitute grounds for discipline under the provisions of Section 19(c) of the Regulations of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners and Section 7 of the Rule Providing for Certification of Court Reporters. (ii) The failure of appointing judges to comply with the requirements of this Order shall constitute grounds for discipline under the provisions of Canon 3 (C) of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct. 

History
History. Adopted December 23, 1996, effective January 1, 1997

Order 10. Child Support Guidelines (Visit the Child Support Web Page for more information)

Section I. Authority and scope.

  Pursuant to Act 948 of 1989, as amended, codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312(a) and the Family Support Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 100-485 (1988), the Court adopts and publishes Administrative Order Number 10 — Child Support Guidelines. This Administrative Order includes and incorporates by reference the attached weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly family support charts and the attached Affidavit of Financial Means (see below for charts and affidavit).

   It is a rebuttable presumption that the amount of child support calculated pursuant to the most recent revision of the Family Support Chart is the amount of child support to be awarded in any judicial proceeding for divorce, separation, paternity, or child support. The court may grant less or more support if the evidence shows that the needs of the dependents require a different level of support.

  All orders granting or modifying child support (including agreed orders) shall contain the court's determination of the payor's income, recite the amount of support required under the guidelines, and recite whether the court deviated from the Family Support Chart. If the order varies from the guidelines, it shall include a justification of why the order varies as may be permitted under Section V hereinafter. It shall be sufficient in a particular case to rebut the presumption that the amount of child support calculated pursuant to the Family Support Chart is correct, if the court enters in the case a specific written finding within the Order that the amount so calculated, after consideration of all relevant factors, including the best interests of the child, is unjust or inappropriate.

Section II. Definition of income.

  Income means any form of payment, periodic or otherwise, due to an individual, regardless of source, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, workers' compensation, disability, payments pursuant to a pension or retirement program, and interest less proper deductions for:

1. Federal and state income tax;
2. Withholding for Social Security (FICA), Medicare, and railroad retirement;
3. Medical insurance paid for dependent children; and
4. Presently paid support for other dependents by court order, regardless of the date of entry of the order or orders.

  Cases reflect that the definition of “income” is “intentionally broad and designed to encompass the widest range of sources consistent with this State’s policy to interpret ‘income’ broadly for the benefit of the child.” Evans v. Tillery, 361 Ark. 63, 204 S.W.3d 547(2005); Ford v. Ford, 347 Ark. 485, 65 S.W.3d 432 (2002); McWhorter v. McWhorter, 346 Ark. 475, 58 S.W.3d 840 (2001); and Davis v. Office of Child Support Enforcement, 341 Ark. 349, 20 S.W.3d 273 (2000).

Section III. Calculation of support.

   a. Basic Considerations. The most recent revision of the family support charts is based on the weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly income of the payor parent as defined in Section II.

   For purposes of computing child support payments, a month consists of 4.334 weeks. Biweekly means a payor is paid once every two weeks or 26 times during a calendar year. Semimonthly means a payor is paid twice a month or 24 times during a calendar year.

   Use the lower figure on the chart for income to determine support. Do not interpolate (i.e., use the $200.00 amount for all income pay between $200.00 and $210.00 per week.)

   The amount paid to the Clerk of the Court or to the Arkansas Clearinghouse for administrative costs pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312(e)(1)(A), § 9-10-109(b)(1)(A), and § 9-14-804(b) is not to be included as support.

   b. Income Which Exceeds Chart. When the payor's income exceeds that shown on the chart, use the following percentages of the payor's weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly income as defined in SECTION II to set and establish a sum certain dollar amount of support:

One dependent: 15%
Two dependents: 21%
Three dependents: 25%
Four dependents: 28%
Five dependents: 30%
Six dependents: 32%

  To compute child support when income exceeds the chart, add together the maximum weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly chart amount, and the percentage of the dollar amount that exceeds that figure, using the percentage above based upon the number of dependents. Example: The maximum on the weekly chart is $1,000 a week. If a payor’s net weekly income is $1,200 and support will be computed for one child–add $149 (the chart amount of support for one child when payor’s net weekly income is $1,000) and $30 (15% of $200, the amount exceeding the maximum chart amount), for total child support of $179. Hill v. Kelly, 368 Ark.200, 243 S.W.3d 886 (2006) (case decided before the Administrative Order was amended to include this computation and example).

   c. Nonsalaried Payors. For Social Security Disability recipients, the court should consider the amount of any separate awards made to the disability recipient's spouse and children on account of the payor's disability. SSI benefits shall not be considered as income.

   For Veteran's Administration disability recipients, Workers' Compensation disability recipients, and Unemployment Compensation recipients, the court shall consider those benefits as income.

   For military personnel, see the latest military pay allocation chart and benefits. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) should be added to other income to reach total income. Military personnel are entitled to draw BAH at a "with dependents" rate if they are providing support pursuant to a court order. However, there may be circumstances in which the payor is unable to draw BAH or may draw BAH only at the "without dependents" rate. Use the BAH for which the payor is actually eligible. In some areas, military personnel receive a variable allowance. It may not be appropriate to include this allowance in calculation of income since it is awarded to offset living expenses which exceed those normally incurred.

   For commission workers, support shall be calculated based on minimum draw plus additional commissions.

   For self-employed payors, support shall be calculated based on the last two years' federal and state income tax returns and the quarterly estimates for the current year. A self-employed payor's income should include contributions made to retirement plans, alimony paid, and self-employed health insurance paid; this figure appears on line 22 of the current federal income tax form. Depreciation should be allowed as a deduction only to the extent that it reflects actual decrease in value of an asset. Also, the court shall consider the amount the payor is capable of earning or a net worth approach based on property, life-style, etc. For “clarification of the procedure for determining child support by using the net-worth method,” see Tucker v. Office of Child Support Enforcement, 368 Ark.481, 247 S.W.3d 485 (2007).

   d. Imputed Income. If a payor is unemployed or working below full earning capacity, the court may consider the reasons therefor. If earnings are reduced as a matter of choice and not for reasonable cause, the court may attribute income to a payor up to his or her earning capacity, including consideration of the payor's life-style. Income of at least minimum wage shall be attributed to a payor ordered to pay child support.

   e. Spousal Support. The chart assumes that the custodian of dependent children is employed and is not a dependent. For the purposes of calculating temporary support only, a dependent custodian may be awarded 20% of the net take-home pay for his or her support in addition to any child support awarded. For final hearings, the court should consider all relevant factors, including the chart, in determining the amount of any spousal support to be paid.

   f. Allocation of Dependents for Tax Purposes. Allocation of dependents for tax purposes belongs to the custodial parent pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Court shall have the discretion to grant dependency allocation, or any part of it, to the noncustodial parent if the benefit of the allocation to the noncustodial parent substantially outweighs the benefit to the custodial parent.

   g. Health Insurance. In addition to the award of child support, the court order shall provide for the child's health care needs, which normally would include health insurance if available to either parent at a reasonable cost.

Section IV. Affidavit of financial means.

  The Affidavit of Financial Means shall be used in all family support matters. The trial court shall require each party to complete and exchange the Affidavit of Financial Means prior to a hearing to establish or modify a support order.

Section V. Deviation considerations.

   a. Relevant Factors. Relevant factors to be considered by the court in determining appropriate amounts of child support shall include:

1. Food;
2. Shelter and utilities;
3. Clothing;
4. Medical expenses;
5. Educational expenses;
6. Dental expenses;
7. Child care (includes nursery, baby sitting, daycare or other expenses for supervision of children necessary for the custodial parent to work);
8. Accustomed standard of living;
9. Recreation;
10. Insurance;
11. Transportation expenses; and
12. Other income or assets available to support the child from whatever source, including the income of the custodial parent.

  b. Additional Factors. Additional factors may warrant adjustments to the child support obligations and shall include:

1. The procurement and maintenance of life insurance, health insurance, dental insurance for the children's benefit;
2. The provision or payment of necessary medical, dental, optical, psychological or counseling expenses of the children (e.g., orthopedic shoes, glasses, braces, etc.);
3. The creation or maintenance of a trust fund for the children;
4. The provision or payment of special education needs or expenses of the child;
5. The provision or payment of day care for a child;
6. The extraordinary time spent with the noncustodial parent, or shared or joint custody arrangements;
7. The support required and given by a payor for dependent children, even in the absence of a court order; and
8. Where the amount of child support indicated by the chart is less than the normal costs of child care, the court shall consider whether a deviation is appropriate.
c. Application of deviation factors. These deviation factors may be considered for both the custodial and the noncustodial parents.

Section VI. Abatement of support during extended visitation.

   The guidelines assume that the noncustodial parent will have visitation every other weekend and for several weeks during the summer. Excluding weekend visitation with the custodial parent, in those situations in which a child spends in excess of 14 consecutive days with the noncustodial parent, the court should consider whether an adjustment in child support is appropriate, giving consideration to the fixed obligations of the custodial parent which are attributable to the child, to the increased costs of the noncustodial parent associated with the child's visit, and to the relative incomes of both parents. Any partial abatement or reduction of child support should not exceed 50% of the child support obligation during the extended visitation period of more than 14 consecutive days.

   In situations in which the noncustodial parent has been granted annual visitation in excess of 14 consecutive days, the court may prorate annually the reduction in order to maintain the same amount of monthly child support payments. However, if the noncustodial parent does not exercise said extended visitations during a particular year, the noncustodial parent shall be required to pay the abated amount of child support to the custodial parent.

Section VII. Provisions for payment.

   All orders of child support shall fix the dates on which payments shall be made. All support orders issued shall include a provision for immediate implementation of income withholding, absent a finding of good cause not to require immediate income withholding or a written agreement of the parties incorporated in the order setting forth an alternative agreement as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-218(a). All income withholding forms shall be made a part of the court file by the payee or his or her attorney. Payment shall be made through the Arkansas Clearinghouse pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-805. Times for payment should ordinarily coincide with the payor's receipt of salary, wages, or other income.

Click here for family support charts and affidavit of income [PDF].

Order 11. Arkansas Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Judiciary

Preamble 

   Many persons who come before the courts are partially or completely excluded from full participation in the proceedings due to limited English proficiency or a speech or hearing impairment. It is essential that the resulting communication barrier be removed, as far as possible, so that these persons are placed in the same position as similarly situated persons for whom there is no such barrier.1 As officers of the court, interpreters help assure that such persons may enjoy equal access to justice and that court proceedings and court support services function efficiently and effectively. Interpreters are highly skilled professionals who fulfill an essential role in the administration of justice. 

1. Non-English speaker should be able to understand just as much as an English speaker with the same level of education and intelligence. 

Applicability 

   This code shall guide and be binding upon all persons, agencies and organizations who administer, supervise use, or deliver interpreting services to the judiciary. 

 

Canon 1: Accuracy and Completeness.

Rules text

Interpreters shall render a complete and accurate interpretation or sight translation, without altering, omitting, or adding anything to what is stated or written, and without explanation. 

 

Canon 2: Representation of Qualifications.

Rules text
Interpreters shall accurately and completely represent their certifications, training, and pertinent experience. 

 

Canon 3: Impartiality and Avoidance of Conflict of Interest.

Rules text
Interpreters shall be impartial and unbiased and shall refrain from conduct that may give an appearance of bias. Interpreters shall disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest. 

 

Canon 4. Professional Demeanor.

Rules text
Interpreters shall conduct themselves in a matter consistent with the dignity of the court and shall be as unobtrusive as possible. 

 

Canon 5: Confidentiality.

Rules text
Interpreters shall protect the confidentiality of all privileged and other confidential information. 

 

Canon 6: Restriction of Public Comment.

Rules text
Interpreters shall not publicly discuss, report, or offer an opinion concerning a matter in which they are or have been engaged, even when that information is not privileged or required by law to be confidential. 

 

Canon 7: Scope of Practice.

Rules text
Interpreters shall limit themselves to interpreting or translating, and shall not give legal advice, express personal opinions to individuals for whom they are interpreting, or engage in any other activities which may be construed to constitute a service other than interpreting or translating while serving as an interpreter. 

 

Canon 8: Assessing and Reporting Impediments to Performance.

Rules text
Interpreters shall assess at all times their ability to deliver their services. When interpreters have any reservation about their ability to satisfy an assignment competently, they shall immediately convey that reservation to the appropriate judicial authority. 

Canon 9: Duty to Report Ethical Violations.

Rules text
Interpreters shall report to the proper judicial authority any effort to impede their compliance with any law, any provision of this code, or any other official policy governing court interpreting and legal translating. 

Canon 10: Professional Development.

Rules text
Interpreters shall continually improve their skills and knowledge and advance the profession through activities such as professional training and education, and interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields. 

History
History. Adopted December 3, 1998

 

Order 12. Official Probate Forms

The Court, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 28-1-114 and its constitutional and inherent powers to regulate procedure in the courts, has adopted thirty-three probate forms. These official forms supersede all earlier versions. The forms are published in 336 Ark. Appendix (1999). 

History
History. Adopted January 26, 1999

[The forms are available in either HTML or  WP5.1 format]

Order 13. Judicial Exemption from Jury Service

During their term of office, Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and judges of general jurisdiction trial courts shall not serve as grand or petit jurors in the courts of this State. 

History
History. Adopted March 25, 1999

Order 14. Administration of Circuit Courts

1.  Divisions.  
    a.  The circuit judges of a judicial circuit shall establish the following subject-matter divisions in each county of the judicial circuit: criminal, civil, juvenile, probate, and domestic relations. The designation of divisions is for the purpose of judicial administration and caseload management and is not for the purpose of subject-matter jurisdiction. The creation of divisions shall in no way limit the powers and duties of the judges to hear all matters within the jurisdiction of the circuit court. 
    b.  For purposes of this order, "probate" means cases relating to decedent estate administration, trust administration, adoption, guardianship, conservatorship, commitment, and adult protective custody. "Domestic Relations" means cases relating to divorce, annulment, maintenance, custody, visitation, support, paternity, and domestic abuse. Provided, however, the definitions of "probate" and "domestic relations" are not intended to restrict the juvenile division of circuit court from hearing adoption, guardianship, support, custody, paternity, or commitment issues which may arise in juvenile proceedings. 
    2.  Administrative Judges. In each judicial circuit in which there are two or more circuit judges, there shall be an administrative judge. 
    a.  Means of Selection. On or before the first day of February of each year following the year in which the general election is held, the circuit judges of a judicial circuit shall select one of their number by secret ballot to serve as the administrative judge for the judicial circuit. In circuits with fewer than ten judges the selection must be unanimous among the judges in the judicial circuit. In circuits with 10 or more judges the selection shall require the approval of at least 75% of the judges. The name of the administrative judge shall be submitted in writing to the Supreme Court. If the judges are unable to agree on a selection, they shall notify the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in writing and furnish information detailing their efforts to select an administrative judge and the results of their balloting. The Supreme Court shall then select the administrative judge. An administrative judge shall be selected on the basis of his or her administrative skills. 
    b.  Term of Office. The administrative judge shall serve a term of two years and may serve successive terms. The administrative judge shall be subject to removal for cause by the Supreme Court. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the administrative judge prior to the end of a term, then within twenty days of such vacancy, the circuit judges in office at the time of such vacancy shall select an administrative judge to serve the unexpired term, and failing to do so, the Supreme Court shall select a replacement. 
    c.  Duties. In addition to his or her regular judicial duties, an administrative judge shall exercise general administrative supervision over the circuit court and judges within his or her judicial circuit under the administrative plan submitted pursuant to Section 3 of this Administrative Order. The administrative judge will be the liaison for that judicial circuit with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in matters relating to administration. In addition, the duties of the administrative judge shall include the following: 
      (1)  Administrative Plan. The administrative judge shall insure that the administrative plan and its implementation are consistent with the requirements of the orders of the Supreme Court. 
      (2)  Case Assignment. Cases shall be assigned under the supervision of the administrative judge in accordance with the circuit's administrative plan. The administrative judge shall assure that the business of the court is apportioned among the circuit judges as equally as possible, and cases may be reassigned by the administrative judge as necessity requires. A circuit judge to whom a case is assigned shall accept that case unless he or she is disqualified or the interests of justice require that the case not be heard by that judge. 
      (3)  Information Compilation. The administrative judge shall have responsibility for the computation, development, and coordination of case statistics and other management data respecting the judicial circuit. 
      (4)  Improvements in the Functioning of the Court. The administrative judge shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the court in administering justice and recommend changes to the Supreme Court. 
    3.  Administrative Plan. The circuit judges of each judicial circuit by majority vote shall adopt a plan for circuit court administration. The administrative judge of each judicial circuit shall submit the administrative plan to the Supreme Court. The purpose of the administrative plan is to facilitate the best use of the available judicial and support resources within each circuit so that cases will be resolved in an efficient and prompt manner. The plan shall include the following: 
    a.  Case Assignment and Allocation.  
      (1)  The plan shall describe the process for the assignment of cases and shall control the assignment and allocation of cases in the judicial circuit. In the absence of good cause to the contrary, the plan of assignment of cases shall assume (i) random selection of unrelated cases; (ii) a substantially equal apportionment of cases among the circuit judges of a judicial  circuit; and (iii) all matters connected with a pending or supplemental proceeding will be heard by the judge to whom the matter was originally assigned. For purposes of subsection 3(a)(1)(i), "random selection" means that cases assigned to a particular subject-matter division shall be randomly distributed among the judges assigned to hear those types of cases. For purposes of subsection 3(a)(1)(ii), "a substantially equal apportionment of cases" does not require that the judges among whom the cases of a division are assigned must hear the same percentage of such cases so long as the judges' overall caseloads are substantially equal. 
      (2)  Cases in the criminal division, the juvenile division, or the domestic relations division may be exclusively assigned to particular judges, but such assignment shall not preclude them from hearing cases from any subject-matter division of circuit court. Except for the exclusive assignment of criminal, juvenile, and domestic relations division cases, cases in other subject-matter divisions should not be exclusively assigned to particular judges absent extraordinary reasons which must be set out in the circuit's administrative plan. 
      (3)  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall as soon as practical develop and make available to each judicial circuit a computerized program to assure (i) random assignment of cases where appropriate and (ii) a substantially equal apportionment of cases among the judges. 
    b.  Caseload Estimate. The plan shall provide a process which will apportion the business of the circuit court among each of the judges within the judicial circuit on as equal a basis as possible. The plan shall include an estimate of the projected caseload of each of the judges based upon previous case filings. If, at any time, it is determined that a workload imbalance exists which is affecting the judicial circuit or a judge adversely, the plan shall be amended subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Administrative Order. 
    4.  Supreme Court.  
    a.  The administrative plan for the judicial circuit shall be submitted by the administrative judge to the Supreme Court by July 1 of each year following the year in which the general election of circuit judges is held. The effective date of the plan will be the following January 1. Until a subsequent plan is submitted to and published by the Supreme Court, any plan currently in effect shall remain in full force. Judges who are appointed or elected to fill a vacancy shall assume the caseload assigned to the judge they are replacing until such time a new administrative plan is required or the original plan is amended. Upon approval, the Supreme Court shall publish the administrative plan and a copy shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court in each county within the judicial circuit and the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The process for the amendment of a plan shall be the same as that of the plan's initial adoption. 
    b.  In the event the administrative judge is unable to submit a plan consistent with the provisions of this Administrative Order, the Supreme Court shall formulate a plan for the equitable distribution of cases and caseloads within the judicial circuit. The Supreme Court shall set out the plan in an order which shall be filed with the clerk of each court in the judicial circuit and the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The clerk shall thereafter assign cases in accordance with the plan. 
    c.  In the event an approved plan is not being followed, a judge may bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court by setting out in writing the nature of the problem. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Supreme Court may cause an investigation to be undertaken by appropriate personnel and will take other action as may be necessary to insure the efficient operation of the courts and the expeditious dispatch of litigation in the judicial circuit. 

History
History. Adopted April 6, 2001; amended November 1, 2001; amended July 11, 2002; amended January 30, 2003; amended January 22, 2004

"(1) The administrative plans submitted by the following judicial circuits are approved: 1st, 4th, 8th-N, 8th-S, 11th-W, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th-E, 19th-W, 20th, 22nd, and 23rd. 
"(2) The plan adopted by the majority of the circuit judges and submitted by the administrative judge in the 10th judicial circuit is approved. 
"(3) The administrative plans submitted by the 7th, 9th-W, 13th, and 21st judicial circuits are approved conditioned upon these plans being modified to provide for the computerized random assignment of cases. (See Administrative Order Number 14 (3)(a)(3)). 
"(4) Administrative Order Number 14 (3)(a)(2) provides that 'except for the exclusive assignment of criminal and juvenile division cases, cases in other subject-matter divisions should not be exclusively assigned to particular judges absent extraordinary reasons which must be set out in the circuit's administrative plan.' The plans submitted by the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 12th judicial circuits provide for particular judges to exclusively hear domestic relations and probate cases, but the plans fail to set out the extraordinary reasons for such assignments. Accordingly, these plans are remanded, and the above listed circuits are directed to furnish the Court with the required explanation or to submit a modified plan. 
"(5) The plan submitted by the 3rd judicial circuit provides that one judge 'will primarily hear equity cases.' We have made clear that cases cannot be assigned based upon a law/equity dichotomy; consequently, this plan is remanded with directions to correct this flaw. 
"The plans submitted by the 1st judicial circuit and the 6th judicial circuit as it relates to case assignments in Perry County have a troubling feature. Each provides for the open assignment of certain cases as opposed to the assignment of each case to a particular judge. We understand the reasons for this practice, but these judicial circuits should work toward assigning each case to a judge. In the future, plans may not be approved with this open assignment feature. 
"Finally, we announce that it is the Court's belief that rotation of judges in those instances where judges are exclusively assigned to criminal or juvenile cases may be desirable. The possibility of 'burn-out,' as well as a desire to diversify, are factors worthy of consideration. Administrative judges and all circuit judges should be cognizant of this consideration as plans are prepared in the future. Hopefully, the wishes of colleagues will be addressed, but the Court will consider the possible need for rotation in specific instances, as well as any necessary amendment to Administrative Order Number 14. 
"Pursuant to Administrative Order Number 14, approved plans shall be effective January 1, 2004." 

 

Order 15. Attorney Qualifications and Standards

Section 1. Qualifications for attorneys appointed by the court to represent children and indigent parents in dependency-neglect cases.

Rules text
a.  An attorney shall be licensed and in good standing with the Arkansas Supreme Court. 
    b.(1)  Prior to appointment, an attorney shall have initial education to include approved legal education of not less than 10 hours in the two years prior to the date an attorney qualifies as a court-appointed attorney for children or indigent parents in dependency-neglect cases. Initial training must include: 

   Child development; 

   Dynamics of abuse and neglect; 

   Attorney roles & responsibilities, including ethical considerations; 

   Relevant state law, federal law, case law, and rules; 

   Family dynamics, which may include but is not limited to, the following topics: substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues; and 

   Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) policies and procedures. 

   Additional initial legal education may include, but is not limited to: 

   Grief and attachment; 

   Custody and visitation; 

   Resources and services; and 

   Trial and appellate advocacy. 
    (2)  The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) shall design and conduct programs for the initial 10 hours of legal education, either alone or in collaboration with other agencies or entities. 
    (3)  Following completion of the initial 10 hours of legal education, continuing legal education (CLE) shall include at least 4 hours per year related to representation in dependency-neglect cases which may include, but is not limited to, the subject categories listed in (b)(1). The 4 hours of CLE may be in any one of the specified categories in (b)(1) or in any combination thereof. 
    (4)  Both the initial 10 hours of education and the 4 hours of CLE shall be certified in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Continuing Legal Education Board. All educational hours shall be calculated with reference to the CLE reporting period of July 1 through June 30, as utilized for general CLE credit by the Continuing Legal Education Board. The CLE hours for attorneys may not be carried over from one CLE year to the next. 
    (5)  An attorney who is qualified for court appointment in dependency-neglect cases but who fails to acquire 4 hours of CLE required by June 30 of any year shall be subject to the pertinent compliance dates of Rule 5.(D) of the Arkansas Rules and Regulations for Minimum Continuing Legal Education. In accordance with Rule 5.(D), attorneys who sign an acknowledgment deficiency by August 31, and obtain their 4 hours by December 1 shall remain qualified. However, such attorneys shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 5 of the Regulations for Minimum Continuing Legal Education. 
    (6)  When an attorney is seeking to complete the 4-hour CLE requirement between June 30 and December 1 for the previous CLE year, he or she may remain as attorney on any pending cases for which appointment was made when the attorney was in compliance with the educational requirements. However, that attorney shall not accept appointment to any new cases until he or she is in full compliance with the CLE requirements. 
    (7)  An attorney who fails to complete 4 hours of CLE by December 1 is no longer qualified for court appointment in dependency-neglect cases. His or her name shall be removed from the list of qualified attorneys that is maintained and distributed to the trial courts by the AOC. Such attorney can become qualified again only by completing 10 hours of CLE in the categories required for initial qualification. 
    (8)  Attorneys in compliance with the educational qualifications as an attorney ad litem for dependency-neglect cases as of July 1, 2001 shall be deemed to have met the initial educational qualifications to represent parents in dependency-neglect cases. 
    c.  Clinical prerequisite for new appointments in dependency-neglect cases.  
    (1)  Attorneys ad litem: Assistance in representation of a child with an experienced attorney in the following hearings: 

   Emergency; 

   Adjudication/Disposition; 

   Review; 

   Permanency Planning; and 

   Termination of Parental Rights. 
    (2)  Parent counsel: Assistance in representation of a parent with an experienced attorney in the following hearings: 

   Emergency; 

   Adjudication/Disposition; 

   Review; 

   Permanency Planning; and 

   Termination of Parental Rights. 

Section 2. Standards of practice for attorneys ad litem in dependency-neglect cases.

Rules text
a.  An attorney ad litem shall conduct personally or in conjunction with a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer an independent investigation consisting of review of all relevant documents and records including but not limited to: police reports, DCFS records, medical records, school records, and court records. The ad litem shall interview the child, and in conjunction with a trained CASA volunteer, when one has been appointed, shall interview the parents, foster parents, caseworker, service providers, school personnel and others having relevant knowledge to assist in representation. Continuing investigation and regular contact with the child are mandatory. 
    b.  An attorney ad litem shall determine the best interest of a child by considering such factors as the child's age and sense of time, level of maturity, culture and ethnicity, degree of attachment to family members including siblings; as well as continuity, consistency, and the child's sense of belonging and identity. 
    c.  An attorney shall make earnest efforts to attend all case staffings and court-ordered mediation conferences and to meet with his or her client prior to every hearing. An attorney ad litem shall appear at all hearings to represent the best interest of the child. All relevant facts should be presented to the court and if the child's wishes differ from the ad litem's determination of the child's best interest, the ad litem shall communicate the child's wishes to the court. 
    d.  An attorney ad litem shall explain the court proceedings and the role of the ad litem in terms that the child can understand. 
    e.  An attorney ad litem shall advocate for specific and appropriate services for the child and the child's family. 
    f.  An attorney ad litem shall monitor implementation of case plans and court orders. 
    g.  An attorney ad litem shall file appropriate pleadings on behalf of the child. 
    h.  An attorney ad litem shall review the progress of the child's case and shall advocate for timely hearings. 
    i.  An attorney ad litem shall request orders that are clear, specific, and, where appropriate, include a time line for assessment, services, placement, treatment and evaluation of the child and the child's family. 
    j.  Attorney-client or any other privilege shall not prevent the ad litem from sharing all information relevant to the best interest of the child with the court. 
    k.  An attorney ad litem, functioning as an arm of the court, is afforded immunity against ordinary negligence for actions taken in furtherance of his or her appointment. 
    l.  An attorney ad litem shall participate in 10 hours of initial legal education prior to appointment and shall participate in 4 hours of CLE each year thereafter. 
    m.  An attorney ad litem shall identify any potential or actual conflict of interest that would impair his or her ability to represent a client. The attorney shall notify the court as soon as practical of such conflict to allow the court to appoint another attorney for the client or for the client to retain counsel prior to the next hearing. 
    n.  A full-time attorney shall not have more than 75 dependency-neglect cases, and a part-time attorney shall not have more than 25 dependency-neglect cases. Any deviations from this standard must be approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts which shall consider the following, including but not limited to: the number of counties and geographic area in a judicial district, the experience and expertise of the attorney ad litem, area resources, the availability of CASA volunteers, the attorney's legal practice commitments and the proportion of the attorney's practice dedicated to representing children in dependency-neglect cases, the availability of qualified attorneys in the geographic area, and the availability of funding. An attorney who is within 5 cases of reaching the maximum caseload shall notify the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Juvenile Division Judge. 
    o.  An attorney shall not accept appointment of any case for which he or she cannot devote the requisite amount of time to comply with the above Standards of Practice and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Section 3. Standards of practice for attorneys appointed by the court to represent parents in dependency-neglect cases.

Rules text
a.  An attorney shall conduct a review of all relevant documents and records including but not limited to: police reports, DCFS records, medical records, and court records. An attorney shall interview all people having relevant knowledge to assist in representation, including but not limited to the investigator, OCC attorney or DCFS case worker, and service providers. 
    b.  An attorney shall make earnest efforts to attend all case staffings and court-ordered mediation conferences and to meet with his or her client prior to every hearing. An attorney shall attend all dependency-neglect court hearings until the case is closed or his or her client's parental rights have been terminated. 
    c.  An attorney shall diligently and zealously protect and advance the client's interests, rights and goals at all case staffings and in all court proceedings. 
    d.  An attorney shall advise and explain to the client each stage of the court proceedings and the likelihood of achieving the client's goals. An attorney, where appropriate, shall identify alternatives for the client to consider, including the client's rights regarding any possible appeal, and explain the risks, if any, inherent in the client's position. 
    e.  An attorney shall appear at all hearings and present all evidence and develop all issues to zealously advocate for his or her client and to further the client's goals. 
    f.  An attorney shall advocate for specific and appropriate services for the parent to further the client's goals. 
    g.  An attorney shall monitor implementation of case plans and court orders to further the client's goals. 
    h.  An attorney shall file appropriate pleadings to further the client's goals. 
    i.  An attorney shall review the progress of the client's case and shall advocate for timely hearings when necessary to further the client's goals. 
    j.  An attorney shall request orders that are clear, specific, and, where appropriate, include a time line for assessment, services, placement, and treatment. 
    k.  An attorney shall participate in 10 hours of initial legal education prior to appointment and shall participate in 4 hours of CLE each year thereafter. 
    l.  An attorney shall identify any potential or actual conflict of interest that would impair his or her ability to represent a client. The attorney shall notify the court as soon as practical of such conflict to allow the court to appoint another attorney for the client or for the client to retain counsel prior to the next hearing. 
    m.  An attorney shall not accept appointment of any case for which he or she cannot devote the requisite amount of time to comply with the above Standards of Practice and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Section 4. Qualifications for attorneys appointed by the court to represent children in domestic relations cases and guardianship cases when custody is an issue.

Rules text
a.  An attorney shall be licensed and in good standing with the Arkansas Supreme Court. 
    (1)  Prior to appointment, an attorney shall have initial education to include approved legal education of not less than 10 hours in the two years prior to the date the attorney qualifies for appointment. Initial education shall include but is not limited to: 

      Child development; 

      Ad litem roles and responsibilities, including ethical considerations; 

      Relevant substantive state, federal and case law; 

      Custody and visitation; and 

  Family dynamics, including substance abuse, domestic abuse, and mental health issues.  
    (2)  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall design and conduct programs for the initial 10 hours of legal education, either alone or in collaboration with other agencies or entities. 
    (3)  Continuing education required to maintain qualification as an attorney ad litem shall include 4 hours of annual education in any of the five subject-matter areas set out in (b)(1) above for initial training, or in other areas affecting the child and family. The 4 hours of CLE may be in any one of the specified categories or in any combination thereof. 
    (4)  Both the initial 10 hours of education and the 4 hours of CLE shall be certified as CLE in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Continuing Legal Education Board. All educational hours shall be calculated with reference to the CLE reporting period of July 1 through June 30, as utilized for general CLE credit by the Continuing Legal Education Board. The CLE hours for attorneys ad litem may not be carried over from one CLE year to the next. 
    (5)  An attorney who is qualified as an attorney ad litem but who fails to acquire 4 hours of CLE by June 30 of any year shall be subject to the pertinent compliance dates of Rule 5.(D) of the Arkansas Rules and Regulations for Minimum Continuing Legal Education. In accordance with Rule 5.(D), attorneys who sign an acknowledgment of deficiency and obtain their four hours by December 1 shall remain qualified as attorneys ad litem. However, such attorneys shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 5 of the Regulations for Minimum Continuing Legal Education. 
    (6)  When an attorney ad litem is seeking to complete the 4-hour continuing education requirement between June 30 and December 1 for the previous CLE year, he or she may remain as attorney ad litem on any pending cases for which appointment was made when the attorney was in compliance with educational requirements. However, that attorney shall not accept appointment to any new cases until he or she is in full compliance with the CLE requirements. 
    (7)  An attorney who fails to complete 4 hours of CLE by December 1 is no longer qualified as an attorney ad litem. His or her name shall be removed from the list of qualified attorneys that is maintained and distributed to the trial courts by the AOC. Such attorney can become qualified again only by completing 10 hours in the categories required for initial qualification. 

Section 5. Standards of practice for attorneys ad litem in domestic relations cases and guardianship cases when custody is an issue.

Rules text
a.  An attorney ad litem shall conduct an independent investigation consisting of review of all relevant documents and records. The ad litem shall interview the child, parents, and others having relevant knowledge to assist in representation. Continuing investigation and regular contact with the child during the pendency of the action are mandatory. Upon entry of a final order, the attorney ad litem's obligation to represent the minor child shall end, unless directed otherwise by the court. 
    b.  An attorney ad litem shall determine the best interest of a child by considering such custody criteria as: 
    (1)  Moral fitness factors: integrity, character, compassion, sobriety, religious training and practice, a newly acquired partner regarding the preceding elements; 
    (2)  Stability factors: emotional stability, work stability, financial stability, residence and school stability, health, partner stability; 
    (3)  Love and affection factors: attention given, discipline, attitude toward education, social attitude, attitude toward access of the other party to the child, and attitude toward cooperation with the other party regarding the child's needs; 
    (4)  Other relevant information regarding the child such as stated preference, age, sex, health, testing and evaluation, child care arrangements; and regarding the home such as its location, size, and family composition. 
    c.  An attorney ad litem shall appear at all hearings to represent the best interest of the child. All relevant facts should be presented to the court and if the child's wishes differ from the ad litem's determination of the child's best interest, the ad litem shall communicate the child's wishes to the court, as well as the recommendations of the ad litem. 
    d.  An attorney ad litem shall file appropriate pleadings on behalf of the child, call witnesses, participate fully in examination of witnesses, present relevant evidence, and advocate for timely hearings. 
    e.  An attorney ad litem shall explain to the child the court proceedings and the role of the ad litem in terms that the child can understand. 
    f.  An attorney ad litem shall make recommendations to the court for specific and appropriate services for the child and the child's family. All recommendations shall likewise be communicated to the attorneys for the parties, or if a party is pro se, then to the party. 
    g.  An attorney ad litem shall not be prevented by any privilege, including the lawyer-client privilege, from sharing with the court all information relevant to the best interest of the child. 
    h.  An attorney shall not accept appointment to any case for which he or she cannot devote the requisite amount of time to comply with these standards of practice and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. 

History
History. Adopted September 21, 2001

 

Order 16. Procedures Regarding the Assignment of Judges

Section I. Authority and scope.

Rules text
Pursuant to Ark. Const. Amend. 80, §§ 4, 12, and 13; Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-10-101 (Repl. 1999), 16-13-214 (Repl. 1999), 16-13-312 (Repl. 1999), and this Court's inherent rule-making authority, the Court adopts and publishes Administrative Order Number 16: Procedures Regarding the Assignment of Circuit, District, and Retired Judges and Justices. 

   This Order authorizes the Chief Justice or his designee to assign sitting circuit court judges or retired circuit, chancery, circuit/chancery, and appellate court judges and justices, with their consent, to serve temporarily in circuit court. Active circuit judges are hereby authorized to sit in a judicial circuit other than the one in which they are currently elected or appointed. Retired judges or retired justices are those who, at the time of assignment, are receiving or have met the statutory requirements to receive judicial retirement benefits. 

   This order also authorizes the Chief Justice or designee to assign active, full-time district court judges, with their consent, to serve temporarily in a district court. Active, full-time district judges are hereby authorized to sit on assignment in a city, county or district other than the one to which they are currently elected or appointed. Active circuit judges and retired circuit, chancery, circuit/chancery, or appellate judges are also authorized, with their consent, to sit temporarily in district courts, upon appointment by the Chief Justice or designee. 

   By adoption of this Order, the Court does not prohibit, and in fact, the Court encourages the use of Exchange Agreements by circuit judges or district judges pursuant to Ark. Const. amend. 80, §§ 6(C) and 7(E); Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-402 & -403 (Repl. 1999); § 16-17-102 (Repl. 1999), and the use of "special judges" as provided by Ark. Const. amend. 80, §  13(C); Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-210 (Repl. 1999); and Administrative Order Number 1. 

Section II. Bases for assignment.

Rules text
A.  Disqualification pursuant to Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct; 1  or

 1 Am. 80, Sec. 12; Canon 3E of the Code of Judicial Conduct. 

 
    B.  Temporary inability to serve; 2  or 

2 Am. 80, Sec. 13. 

    C.  Other need as determined by the Chief Justice. 

 

Section III. Request for assignment.

Rules text
Circuit Courts: A trial judge requesting that a judge be assigned shall write a letter to the Chief Justice asking that an assignment be made pursuant to one or more of the bases set forth in Section II. In cases of disqualification in judicial circuits with more than one judge, all judges in the circuit must disqualify before an assignment will be made. The last judge in the circuit to recuse in a matter is responsible for writing the letter of request, sufficient in detail to inform the Chief Justice of the following: 
    A.  the type of case involved; 
    B.  the facts or law in dispute; 
    C.  whether a temporary hearing is scheduled or necessary; 
    D.  the estimated time to hear the matter; 
    E.  the names of the attorneys representing the parties; and 
    F.  other pertinent information to assist the Chief Justice in making an assignment. 

   District Courts: A district court judge requesting that a judge be assigned shall follow the same procedure as set out for circuit courts above, except for the requirement pertaining to the disqualification of all judges in multiple-judge circuits. A request shall include the same information pertinent to a case as set out above for circuit court cases. 

   Circuit or District Courts: A judge or judges recusing because of disqualification shall take no further action in a case after assignment, except that the judge requesting an assignment shall direct his or her staff to notify the attorneys or pro se litigants of the assignment and to accommodate, to the extent possible, an assigned judge regarding facilities and staff, when necessary, to carry out the assignment. 

Section IV. Considerations in making assignments.

Rules text
Issues which will be considered in selecting a judge to be assigned include, but are not limited to: 
    A.  the type and complexity of the case; 
    B.  the amount of time estimated for the assignment; 
    C.  the geographic location of the case and the proximity of the assigned judge; and 
    D.  the consent of the sitting judge or retired judge or justice selected. 

   Under no circumstances shall a judge, a lawyer, or a party seek to influence the decision of the Chief Justice in making an assignment. 

Section V. Assigned judges' power to sign documents.

Rules text
A circuit judge or a retired judge assigned to a cause or matter may render or sign orders, judgments, documents, or other papers in that cause or matter in a geographic location other than the judicial circuit in which the cause or matter is pending. Such order, judgment, document, or other paper shall have the same effect, for all intents and purposes, as if signed in the judicial circuit in which the matter or cause is pending. 

Section VI. Terminations and reassignments.

Rules text
An assignment, once made, will be terminated only for good cause at the request of the assigned judge or at the discretion of the Chief Justice. 

   Circuit Courts: After termination of an assignment and notification to the clerk in the county in which the case is filed, the clerk shall reassign the case within the circuit to the appropriate judge. If the cause necessitating the assignment still exists, the process for assignment by the Chief Justice may begin anew with a letter from the judge to the Chief Justice. Assignment shall be made in the same manner as set out herein. 

   District Courts: After termination of an assignment and notification to the clerk of the district court in which the case is filed, the district clerk shall notify the district court of the termination of assignment. If the cause necessitating the assignment still exists, the process for assignment by the Chief Justice may begin anew with a letter from the district judge to the Chief Justice. Assignment shall be made in the same manner as set out herein. 

Section VII. Reports.

Rules text
Retired judges assigned to circuit court cases are subject to Administrative Order Number 3, which requires the reporting of cases that have been under advisement for more than ninety (90) days after final submission. For reporting such cases, a retired judge shall follow the process set out in Administrative Order Number 3(2)(A). A retired judge who has no cases that have been under submission for more than ninety (90) days is not required to file a report. 

History
History. Adopted on February 6, 2003

 

Order 17. Professional Practicum Rule

Each person admitted to the Bar of Arkansas (Bar), by examination, shall complete a professional practicum. The course shall be completed within two years after the date an attorney is certified for admission to the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

The goal of the professional practicum is to enhance the quality of legal services provided to the public. The professional practicum shall consist of not less than one day's instruction, focusing on lawyers' roles as an officer of the Court and as a member of the Bar, and lawyers' relation to community, clients, and courts, and may include topics regarding the professional and ethical implications of private and non-private practice. The course is not designed to address the topic of law office economics. The practicum shall also focus on the practical aspects of practicing law in Arkansas and common areas of disciplinary concerns. The course will not be an overview of traditional law school courses.

The practicum will be organized, prepared, and presented under the direction of the Professional Practicum Committee (Committee) of the Supreme Court of Arkansas. The Committee may present the program itself or through contract with a third-party provider, which may be the Arkansas Bar Association.

Upon good cause shown, an attorney may be entitled to an extension of time in which to meet this requirement. Such relief shall extend to the immediately succeeding professional practicum only. "Good cause," for purposes of this rule, includes but is not limited to military service or a family or medical emergency during or immediately before a scheduled professional practicum. In exceptional cases the Committee may grant further extension or allow the attorney to achieve compliance in some manner other than attendance at the practicum.

An attorney who fails to meet this requirement shall have his or her license suspended. Such suspension shall be lifted only upon completion of the professional practicum..

The Office of Professional Programs (Office) shall be the repository for all records pertaining to administration of this rule. The Office shall be responsible for providing notice to all persons seeking admission to the Bar of this requirement, course dates and locations. Further, the Office shall maintain all records pertaining to compliance and provide all notices required for enforcement of the provisions of this rule.

History
History. Adopted July 1, 2004, effective January 1, 2005

 

Order 18. Administration of District Courts

This administrative order is promulgated pursuant to Ark. Const. Amend. 80, § 7; Ark. Code Ann. §16-17-704; and the Supreme Court's inherent rule-making authority. Procedural rules applicable to district courts are set out in the District Court Rules.

1. Divisions.
(a) The district court judges shall establish the following subject-matter divisions in each district court: criminal, civil, traffic, and small claims. For purposes of this administrative order, the term "traffic division" means cases relating to a violation of a law regulating the operation of a vehicle upon a roadway.
(b) The designation of divisions is for the purpose of judicial administration and caseload management and is not for the purpose of subject-matter jurisdiction. The creation of divisions shall in no way limit the powers and duties of the judges to hear all matters within the jurisdiction of the district court.

2. Departments.
(a) Each department of a district court shall maintain its own docket, and the docket shall be heard at times and places as may be determined by the judge(s) of the district court. Except as authorized in subsection (2) (b) or as approved by the Supreme Court, each department of a district court shall hear cases in all of the subject matter divisions. "Department" is defined in Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-901.
(b) If a district court's territorial jurisdiction is only city-wide and the district court has more than one department, the judges of the district court by unanimous written agreement may designate that cases of one or more of the subject matter divisions (criminal, civil, traffic, and small claims) be assigned to one or more of the departments.

3. Civil Jurisdiction. The district court shall have original jurisdiction within its territorial jurisdiction over the following civil matters:
(a) Exclusive of the circuit court in all matters of contract where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars ($100), excluding interest, costs, and attorney's fees;
(b) Concurrent with the circuit court in matters of contract where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), excluding interest, costs, and attorneys' fees;
(c) Concurrent with the circuit court in actions for the recovery of personal property where the value of the property does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000); and
(d) Concurrent with the circuit court in matters of damage to personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), excluding interest and costs.

4. Small Claims Division. The small claims division shall have the same jurisdiction over amounts in controversy as provided in subsection 3 of this administrative order. Special procedural rules governing actions filed in the small claims division are set out in Rule 10 of the District Court Rules. The following restrictions apply to litigation in the small claims division:
(a) Restriction on participation by attorneys. No attorney-at-law or person other than the plaintiff and defendant shall take part in the filing, prosecution, or defense of litigation in the small claims division. When any case is pending in the small claims division of any district court and the judge of the court determines that an attorney is representing any party in the case, the case shall immediately be transferred to the civil docket. However, it is not the intention of this provision and this provision shall not be construed, to abridge in any way the rights of persons to be represented by legal counsel.
(b) Entities restricted from bringing actions. No action may be brought in the small claims division by any collection agency, collection agent, or assignee of a claim or by any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation engaged, either primarily or secondarily, in the business of lending money at interest. "Credit bureaus and collection agencies", by definition, shall include those businesses that either collect delinquencies for a fee or are otherwise engaged in credit history or business.
(c) Actions by and against corporations. (1) Corporations, other than those identified in subsection 4(b) of this administrative order, which are organized under the laws of this state and which have no more than three stockholders or in which eighty-five percent or more of the voting stock is held by persons related by blood or marriage within the third degree of consanguinity or any closely held corporations by unanimous vote of the shareholders may sue and be sued in the small claims division. (2) A corporation shall be represented in the proceedings by an officer of the corporation.

5. Assignment of Judges. See Administrative Order Number 16.

6. Jurisdiction of Pilot State District Court Judgeships. [This section (6) applies to Pilot State District Court Judgeships (“Pilot District Courts”) upon their effective date pursuant to Act 663 of 2007.]
In addition to the powers and duties of a district court under this administrative order, a pilot district court shall exercise additional power and authority as set out in this section.
(a) Original Jurisdiction. A pilot district court shall have original jurisdiction within its territorial jurisdiction over the following civil matters:
(1) Exclusive of the circuit court in all matters of contract where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars ($100), excluding interest, costs, and attorney's fees;
(2) Concurrent with the circuit court in matters of contract where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), excluding interest, costs, and attorney's fees;
(3) Concurrent with the circuit court in actions for the recovery of personal property where the value of the property does not exceed the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000);
(4) Concurrent with the circuit court in matters of damage to personal property where the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), excluding interest and costs.

(b) Reference. A pilot district court judge may be referred matters pending in the circuit court that arose within the territorial jurisdiction of the pilot district court. A pilot district court judge presiding over any referred matter shall be subject at all times to the superintending control of the administrative judge of the judicial circuit. The following matters pending in circuit court may be referred to a pilot district court judge:
(1) Consent Jurisdiction. Matters filed in the civil, domestic relations or probate division of circuit court upon the consent of all parties (see subsection (d) below);
(2) Protective Orders. Petitions for temporary orders of protection pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. Section 9-15-206 (The Domestic Abuse Act of 1991);
(3) Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer. Pretrial hearings pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. Section 18-60-307 (c-e) on a defendant’s objection to a writ of possession;
(4) Other Matters. Matters of an emergency or uncontested nature pending in the civil, domestic relations, or probate division of circuit court (such as, ex parte emergency involuntary commitments pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 20-47-209-210, decedent estate administration, uncontested divorces, and defaults) under guidelines and procedures set out in the judicial circuit’s administrative plan; and
(5) Criminal Matters. Any of the following duties (the rules referenced below are the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure) with respect to an investigation or prosecution of an offense lying within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit court:
(A) Issue a search warrant pursuant to Rule 13.1.
(B) Issue an arrest warrant pursuant to Rule 7.1 or Ark. Code Ann.§ 16-81-104, or issue a summons pursuant to Rule 6.1.
(C) Make a reasonable cause determination pursuant to Rule 4.1(e).
(D) Conduct a first appearance pursuant to Rule 8.1, at which the judge may appoint counsel pursuant to Rule 8.2; inform a defendant pursuant to Rule 8.3; accept a plea of "not guilty" or "not guilty by reason insanity"; conduct a pretrial release inquiry pursuant to Rules 8.4 and 8.5; or release a defendant from custody pursuant to Rules 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3.
(E) Conduct a preliminary hearing as provided in Ark. Code Ann. § 5-4-310(a).
If a person is charged with the commission of an offense lying within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit court, a pilot district court judge may not accept or approve a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to the offense charged or to a lesser included offense.

(c) Reference Process. Except for the exercise of consent jurisdiction which is governed by subsection (d), with the concurrence of a majority of the circuit judges of a judicial circuit, the administrative judge of a judicial circuit may refer matters pending in the circuit court to a pilot district court judge, with the judge’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. A decision of a pilot district court judge is final and binding and is subject only to a right of appeal to the circuit judge to whom the case has been assigned. A party may appeal the decision of a pilot district court judge by filing a motion within ten (10) days of the decision. Copies shall be served on all other parties and the pilot district court judge from whom the appeal is taken. The motion shall specifically state the rulings excepted to and the basis for the exceptions. The circuit judge may reconsider any matter sua sponte. The circuit judge shall affirm the findings of the pilot district court judge unless they are found to be clearly erroneous or contrary to law.

(d) Consent Process.
1. Notice. The circuit clerk shall give the plaintiff notice of the consent jurisdiction of a pilot district court judge when a suit is filed in the civil, domestic relations, or probate division of circuit court. The circuit clerk shall also attach the same notice to the summons for service on the defendant. Any party may obtain a "Consent to Proceed before a Pilot State District Court Judge" form from the Circuit Clerk's Office.
2. Consent. By agreeing to consent jurisdiction, the parties are waiving their right to a jury trial and a verbatim record of the proceeding, and any appeal in the case shall be taken directly to the Arkansas Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.
3. Transfer. Once the completed forms have been returned to the circuit clerk, the circuit clerk shall then assign the case to a pilot district court judge and forward the consent forms for final approval to the circuit judge to whom the case was originally assigned. When the circuit judge has approved the transfer and returned the consent forms to the circuit clerk's office for filing, the circuit clerk shall forward a copy of the consent forms to the pilot district court judge to whom the case is reassigned. The circuit clerk shall also indicate on the file that the case has been reassigned to the pilot district court judge.
4. Appeal. The final judgment, although ordered by a pilot district court judge, is deemed a final judgment of the circuit court and will be entered by the circuit clerk under Rule 58 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. Any appeal shall be taken to the Arkansas Supreme Court or Court of Appeals in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of the circuit court.

7. Small Claims Magistrate.
(a) At the request of the majority of the district judges of a district court, with the concurrence of a majority of the circuit court judges of a judicial circuit, the Administrative Judge of the judicial circuit may designate one or more licensed attorney(s) to serve as a Small Claims Magistrate to preside over the Small Claims Division of the district court. A Small Claims Magistrate shall be deemed the "judge" as that term is used in Rule 10 of the District Court Rules. A Small Claims Magistrate shall be subject to the superintending control of the district judges of the district court.
(b) A Small Claims Magistrate shall possess the same qualifications as a district court judge. The appointment shall be in writing and filed with the District Court Clerk.
8. Special Judges. Special district judges shall be appointed or elected in accordance with Administrative Order Number 1 and Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-210. A special district judge shall have the same qualifications, powers, and authority as a regular district judge.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF __________________ COUNTY, ARKANSAS

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CONSENT
TO DISPOSITION OF CASE BY A PILOT STATE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

In accordance with the provisions of Act 663 of 2007 and Administrative Order Number 18, you are hereby notified that upon the consent of all the parties in a case, a Pilot State District Court Judge may be authorized to conduct all proceedings, including trial of the case and entry of a final judgment. Copies of appropriate consent forms are available from the Circuit Clerk.

You should be aware that your decision to consent or not to consent to the disposition of your case before a Pilot State District Court Judge is entirely voluntary, and by consenting to the reference of this matter to a Pilot State District Court Judge, the parties waive their right to a jury trial and a verbatim record of the proceedings, and any appeal in the case shall be taken directly to the Arkansas Supreme Court or Court of Appeals as authorized by law.

You should communicate your consent by completing the Form -- CONSENT TO PROCEED BEFORE A PILOT STATE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE -- and return to the Circuit Clerk.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF __________________ COUNTY, ARKANSAS
_____________ DIVISION

CONSENT TO PROCEED BEFORE A
PILOT STATE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
__________________________
(Plaintiff)
v. CASE NO. ______________
__________________________
(Defendant)

The undersigned parties (or counsel, if so authorized) to this proceeding are fully aware of the right to proceed before a Pilot State District Court Judge and do hereby consent to the reference of the matter to a Pilot State District Court Judge in accordance with Act 663 of 2007 and Administrative Order Number 18.
By consenting to the reference of this matter to a Pilot State District Court Judge, the parties waive their right to a jury trial and a verbatim record of the proceedings, and any appeal in the case shall be taken directly to the Arkansas Supreme Court or Court of Appeals as authorized by law.
The Pilot State District Court Judge shall be empowered to conduct all further proceedings and to order the disposition of the matter and the entry of an appropriate judgment.

PLAINTIFFS DATE DEFENDANTS DATE

____________________ ___________ _____________________ ___________

____________________ ___________ _____________________ ___________

ORDER OF REFERENCE
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that this matter be referred to _______________________, Pilot State District Court Judge, for the conduct of further proceedings and the entry of judgment in accordance with the foregoing consent.

_____________________ ____________________________________
Date CIRCUIT JUDGE

 

Order 19. Access to Court Records

Section I. Authority, Scope, and Purpose.

Rules text
A.  Pursuant to Ark. Const. Amend. 80 §§ 1, 3, 4; Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-10-101 (Repl. 1999), 25-19-105(b)(8) (Supp. 2003), and this Court's inherent rule-making authority, the Court adopts and publishes Administrative Order Number 19: Access to Court  Records. This order governs access to, and confidentiality of, court records. Except as otherwise provided by this order, access to court records shall be governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. §§ 25-19-101, et seq.). 
    B.  The purposes of this order are to: 
    (1)  promote accessibility to court records; 
    (2)  support the role of the judiciary; 
    (3)  promote governmental accountability; 
    (4)  contribute to public safety; 
    (5)  reduce the risk of injury to individuals; 
    (6)  protect individual privacy rights and interests; 
    (7)  protect proprietary business information; 
    (8)  minimize reluctance to use the court system; 
    (9)  encourage the most effective use of court and clerk of court staff; 
    (10)  provide excellent customer service; and 
    (11)  avoid unduly burdening the ongoing business of the judiciary. 
    C.  This order applies only to court records as defined in this order and does not authorize or prohibit access to information gathered, maintained, or stored by a non-judicial governmental agency or other entity. 
    D.  Disputes arising under this order shall be determined in accordance with this order and, to the extent not inconsistent with this order, by all other rules and orders adopted by this Court. 
    E.  This order applies to all court records; however clerks and courts may, but are not required to, redact or restrict information that was otherwise public in case records and administrative records created before January 1, 2009. 

Section II. Who Has Access Under This Order.

Rules text
A.  All persons have access to court records as provided in this order, except as provided in section II(B) of this order. 
    B.  The following persons, in accordance with their functions within the judicial system, may have greater access to court records: 
    (1)  employees of the court, court agency, or clerk of court; 
    (2)  private or governmental persons or entities who assist a court in providing court services; 
    (3)  public agencies whose access to court records is defined by other statutes, rules, orders or policies; and 
    (4)  the parties to a case or their lawyers with respect to their own case. 

Section III. Definitions.

Rules text
A.  For purpose of this order: 
    (1)  "Court Record" means both case records and administrative records, but does not include information gathered, maintained or stored by a non-court agency or other entity even though the court may have access to the information, unless it is adopted by the court as part of the court record. 
    (2)  "Case Record" means any document, information, data, or other item created, collected, received, or maintained by a court, court agency or clerk of court in connection with a judicial proceeding. 
    (3)  "Administrative Record" means any document, information, data, or other item created, collected, received, or maintained by a court, court agency, or clerk of court pertaining to the administration of the judicial branch of government. 
    (4)  "Court" means the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Court of Appeals, and all Circuit, District, or City Courts. 
    (5)  "Clerk of Court" means the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and the Clerk of a Circuit, District, or City Court including staff. "Clerk of Court" also means the County Clerk, when acting as the Ex-Officio Circuit Clerk for the Probate Division of Circuit Court. 
    (6)  "Public access" means that any person may inspect and obtain a copy of the information. 
    (7)  "Remote access" means the ability to electronically search, inspect, or copy information in a court record without the need to physically visit the court facility where the court record is maintained. 
    (8)  "In electronic form" means information that exists as electronic representations of text or graphic documents; an electronic image, including a video image of a document, exhibit or other thing; data in the fields or files of an electronic database; or an audio or video recording (analog or digital) of an event or notes in an electronic file from which a transcript of an event can be prepared. 
    (9)  "Bulk Distribution" means the distribution of all, or a significant subset of, the information in court records, as is, and without modification or compilation. 
    (10)  "Compiled Information" means information that is derived from the selection, aggregation or reformulation of information from more than one court record. 
    (11)  "Confidential" means that the contents of a court record may not be disclosed unless otherwise permitted by this order, or by law. When and to the extent provided by this order or by law, "confidential" shall mean also that the existence of a court record may not be disclosed. 
    (12)  "Sealed" means that the contents of a court record may not be disclosed unless otherwise permitted by this order, or by law. When and to the extent provided by this order or by law, "sealed" shall mean also that the existence of a court record may not be disclosed. 
    (13)  "Protective order" means that as defined by the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. 
    (14)  "Expunged" means that the record or records in question shall be sequestered, sealed, and treated as confidential, and neither the contents, nor the existence of, the court record may be disclosed unless otherwise permitted by this order, or by law. Unless otherwise provided by this order or by law, "expunged" shall not mean the physical destruction of any records. 
    (15)  "Court Agency" means the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Office of Professional Programs, the Office of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, and any other office or agency now in existence or hereinafter created, which is under the authority and control of the Arkansas Supreme Court. 
    (16)  "Custodian" with respect to any court record, means the person having administrative control of that record and does not mean a person who holds court records solely for the purposes of storage, safekeeping, or data processing for others. 

Section IV. General Access Rule.

Rules text
A.  Public access shall be granted to court records subject to the limitations of sections V through X of this order. 
    B.  This order applies to all court records, regardless of the manner of creation, method of collection, form of storage, or the form in which the records are maintained. 
    C.  If a court record, or part thereof, is rendered confidential by protective order, by this order, or otherwise by law, the confidential content shall be redacted, but there shall be a publicly accessible indication of the fact of redaction. This subsection (C) does not apply to court records that are rendered confidential by expungement or other legal authority that expressly prohibits disclosure of the existence of a record. 

Section V. Remote Access.

Rules text
A.  Courts should endeavor to make at least the following information, when available in electronic form, remotely accessible to the public, unless public access is restricted pursuant to section VII: 
    (1)  litigant/party/attorney indexes to cases filed with the court; 
    (2)  listings of case filings, including the names of the parties; 
    (3)  the register of actions or docket sheets; 
    (4)  calendars or dockets of court proceedings, including case numbers and captions, date and time of hearings, and location of hearings; 
    (5)  judgments, orders, or decrees. 
    B.  Remote access to information beyond this list is left to the discretion of the court. 

Section VI. Bulk Distribution and Compiled Information.

Rules text
A.  Requests for bulk distribution or compiled information shall be made in writing to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or other designee of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Requests will be acted upon or responded to within a reasonable period of time. 
    B.  Bulk distribution or compiled information that is not excluded by section VII of this order shall be provided according to the terms of this section VI(B). 
    (1)  Bulk distribution or compiled information that is not excluded by section VII of this order shall be provided when the following conditions are met: 
      (a)  The requester must declare under penalty of perjury that the request is made for a scholarly, journalistic, political, governmental, research, evaluation, or statistical purpose, and that the identification of specific individuals is ancillary to the purpose of the inquiry. 
      (b)  The requester must declare under penalty of perjury that information obtained pursuant to this section VI(B) will not be used directly or indirectly to sell a product or service to any individual, group of individuals, or the general public. A request for records supporting the news dissemination function of the requester shall not be considered a request that is for commercial use. 
      (c)  The information is requested in a medium in which the information is readily available, and in a format to which the information is readily convertible with the court or court agency's existing software. At its discretion, the court or court agency may agree to summarize, compile, or tailor electronic data in a particular manner or medium in which the data is not readily available, or in a format to which the data is not readily convertible. 
      (d)  Information that is excluded from section VII of this order can reasonably be segregated from non-excluded information and withheld from disclosure. The amount of information deleted shall be indicated on the released portion of the record, and, if technically feasible, at the place in the record where the deletion was made. 
    (2)  The grant of a request under this section VI(B) may be made contingent upon the requester paying the actual costs of reproduction, including the costs of the medium of reproduction, supplies, equipment, and maintenance, and including the actual costs of mailing or transmitting the record by facsimile or other electronic means, but not including existing personnel time associated with searching for, retrieving, reviewing, or copying information. 
      (a)  If the estimated costs exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00), the requester may be required to pay that fee in advance. 
      (b)  Information may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge if it is determined that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. 
      (c)  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section VI(B)(2), if a discretionary request is agreed to under section VI(B)(1)(c), the requester may be charged the actual, verifiable costs of personnel time exceeding two (2) hours associated with the tasks, in addition to the actual costs of reproduction. The charge for personnel time shall not exceed the salary of the lowest paid employee or contractor who, in the discretion of the court or court agency providing the records, has the necessary skill and training to respond to the request. 
      (d)  The requester is entitled to an itemized breakdown of charges under this section VI(B)(2). 
    C.  Bulk distribution or compiled information that does or does not include information excluded from public access pursuant to section VII of this order may be provided according to the terms of this section VI(C). 
    (1)  The request must: 
      (a)  fully identify the requestor and describe the requestor's interest and purpose of the inquiry; 
      (b)  identify what information is sought; 
      (c)  explain how the information will benefit the public interest or public education; 
      (d)  explain provisions for the secure protection of any information requested to which public access is restricted or prohibited; 
      (e)  explain procedures for accurately distinguishing the records for individuals according to multiple personal identifiers. 
    (2)  Upon receiving a request pursuant to this subsection (C), the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records is the Administrative Office of the Courts is unable to provide the requested records, may permit objections by persons affected by the release of information, unless individual notice as required under section VI(3)(e) below is waived by the Director or court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records. 
    (3)  The request may be granted only upon determination by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or by the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records if the Administrative Office of the Courts is not able to provide the requested records, that the information sought is consistent with the purposes of this order, that resources are available to prepare the information, and that fulfilling the request is an appropriate use of public resources, and further upon finding by clear and convincing evidence that the requestor satisfies the requirements of subsection (C), and that the purposes for which the information is sought substantially outweighs the privacy interests protected by this order. An order granting a request under this subsection may, at the discretion of the Director or the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records, specify particular conditions or requirements for the use of the information, including without limitation: 
      (a)  The confidential information will not be sold or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, to third parties. 
      (b)  The confidential information will not be used directly or indirectly to sell a product or service to an individual, group of individuals, or the general public. 
      (c)  The confidential information will not be copied or duplicated other than for the stated scholarly, journalistic, political, governmental, research, evaluation, or statistical purpose. 
      (d)  The requestor must pay reasonable costs of responding to the request, as determined by the court. 
      (e)  The requester must provide for individual notice to all persons affected by the release of information. 
    (4)  When the request includes release of social security numbers, driver's license or equivalent state identification card numbers, dates of birth, or addresses, the information provided shall include only the last four digits of social security numbers, only the last four digits of driver's license or equivalent state identification card numbers, only the year of birth, or only the ZIP code of addresses. Account numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) of specific assets, liabilities, accounts, and credit cards may not be released. The restrictions may be waived only upon a petition to the responding Director, court or court agency. 

Section VII. Court Records Excluded From Public Access.

Rules text
A.  Case records. The following information in case records is excluded from public access and is confidential absent a court order to the contrary; however, if the information is disclosed in open court and is part of a verbatim transcript of court proceedings or included in trial transcript source materials, the information is not excluded from public access: 
    (1)  information that is excluded from public access pursuant to federal law; 
    (2)  information that is excluded from public access pursuant to the Arkansas Code Annotated; 
    (3)  information that is excluded from public access by order or rule of court; 
    (4)  Social Security numbers; 
    (5)  account numbers of specific assets, liabilities, accounts, credit cards, and personal identification numbers (PINs); 
    (6)  information about cases expunged or sealed pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-901, et seq.; 
    (7)  notes, communications, and deliberative materials regarding decisions of judges, jurors, court staff, and judicial agencies; 
    (8)  all home and business addresses of petitioners who request anonymity when seeking a domestic order of protection. 
    B.  Administrative Records. The following information in administrative records is excluded from public access and is confidential absent a court order to the contrary: 
    (1)  information that is excluded from public access pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated or other court rule; 
    (2)  information protected from disclosure by order or rule of court. 

Explanatory Note: Before the amendment, this part of the Administrative Order made the address and phone number of all litigants confidential. That rule would have been both too broad and unworkable. Litigants’ addresses are needed for, among other things, summonses and judgments. The revised provision is limited to the situation where current substantive law makes a litigant’s addresses confidential for an obvious and compelling reason. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-203 (Repl. 2008).

Section VIII. Obtaining Access to Information Excluded from Public Access.

Rules text
A.  Any requestor may make a verified written request to obtain access to information in a case or administrative record to which public access is prohibited under this order to the court having jurisdiction over the record. The request shall demonstrate that: 
    (1)  reasonable circumstances exist that require deviation from the general provisions of this order; 
    (2)  the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm in disclosure; or 
    (3)  the information should not be excluded from public access under section VII of this order. 

   The person seeking access has the burden of providing notice to the parties and such other persons as the court may direct, providing proof of notice to the court or the reason why notice could not or should not be given, demonstrating to the court the requestor's reasons for prohibiting access to the information. 
    B.  The court shall hold a hearing on the request, unless waived, within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days of receipt of the request. The court shall grant a request to allow access following a hearing if the requestor demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that any one or more of the requirements of VIII.A.(1) through VIII.A.(3) have been satisfied. 
    C.  A court shall consider the public access and the privacy interests served by this order and the grounds demonstrated by the requestor. In its order, the court shall state its reasons for granting or denying the request. When a request is made for access to information excluded from public access, the information will remain confidential while the court rules on the request. 
    D.  A court may place restrictions on the use or dissemination of the information to preserve confidentiality. 

Section IX. When Court Records May Be Accessed.

Rules text
A.  Court records that are publicly accessible will be available for public access in the courthouseduring regular business hours established by the court; however, public access to trial exhibits andtrial transcript source materials shall be granted at the discretion of the court. Court records in electronic form to which the court allows remote access under this policy will be available for access during hours established by the court, subject to unexpected technical failures or normalsystem maintenance announced in advance. 
    B.  Upon receiving a request pursuant to section VI(C), or VIII of this order, a court will respondwithin a reasonable period of time. 

Section X. Contracts With Vendors Providing Information Technology Services Regarding Court Records.

Rules text
A.  If a court, court agency, or other private or governmental entity contracts with a vendor to provide information technology support to gather, store, or make accessible court records, the contract will require the vendor to comply with the intent and provisions of this access policy. For purposes of this section, the term 'vendor' also includes a non-judicial branch state, county or local governmental agency that provides information technology services to a court. 
    B.  Each contract shall require the vendor to assist the court in its role of educating litigants and the public about this order. The vendor shall also be responsible for training its employees and subcontractors about the provisions of this order. 

    C.  Each contract shall prohibit vendors from disseminating bulk or compiled information, without first obtaining approval as required by this order. 
    D.  Each contract shall require the vendor to acknowledge that court records remain the property of the court and are subject to the directions and orders of the court with respect to the handling and access to the court records, as well as the provisions of this order. 
    E.  These requirements are in addition to those otherwise imposed by law. 

Section XI. Violation of Order Not Basis for Liability.

Rules text
Violation of this order by the disclosure of confidential or erroneous court records by a court, court agency, or clerk of court employee, official, or an employee or officer of a contractor or subcontractor of a court, court agency, or clerk of court shall not be the basis for establishing civil or criminal liability for violation of this order. This does not preclude a court from using its inherent contempt powers to enforce this order. 

History. Amended October 23, 2008, effective January 1, 2009.

 

Order 19.1. Redaction in Court Administration Records

Confidential information as defined and described in Sections III(A)(11) and VII(B) of Administrative Order 19 shall not be included as part of a court administrative record unless the confidential information is necessary to the administration of the judicial branch of government. Section III(A)(3) of the Order defines an administrative record as any document, information, data, or other item created, collected, received, or maintained by a court, court agency, or clerk of court pertaining to the administration of the judicial branch of government. If inclusion of confidential information in a court administrative record is necessary to the administration of the judicial branch of government:

A. The confidential information shall be redacted from the court administrative record to which public access is granted pursuant to Section IV(A) of Administrative Order 19. The point in the court administrative record at which the redaction is made shall be indicated by striking through the redacted material with an opaque black mark or by inserting some explanatory notation in brackets, such as: [Information Redacted], [I.R.], [Confidential], or [Subject To Protective Order]. The requirement that the redaction be indicated in a court administrative record shall not apply to administrative records rendered confidential by expungement or other legal authority that expressly prohibits disclosure of the existence of a record; and

B. An un-redacted copy of the court administrative record with the confidential information included shall be filed with the court under seal. It is the responsibility of a court, court agency, or clerk of court creating a court administrative record to ensure that confidential information is omitted or redacted from administrative records. As noted in Section XI of Administrative Order 19, a court may use its inherent contempt powers to enforce this rule.

History. Adopted October 23, 2008, effective January 1, 2009.

 

Appendix I. Commentary

Section I. Commentary

The objective of this order is to promote public accessibility to court records, taking into account public policy interests that are not always fully compatible with unrestricted access. The public policy interests listed above are in no particular order. This order attempts to balance competing interests and recognizes that unrestricted access to certain information in court records could result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or unduly increase the risk of injury to individuals and businesses. This order recognizes there are strong societal reasons for allowing public access to court records, and denial of access could compromise the judiciary's role in society, inhibit accountability, and endanger public safety. Open access allows the public to monitor the performance of the judiciary, furthers the goal of providing public education about the results in cases, and, if properly implemented, reduces court staff time needed to provide public access.

This order starts from the presumption of open public access to court records. In some circumstances; however, there may be sound reasons for restricting access to these records. This order recognizes that there are times when access to information may lead to, or increase the risk of, harm to individuals. However, given the societal interests in access to court records, this order also reflects the view that any restriction to access must be implemented in a manner tailored to serve the interests in open access. It is also important to remember that, generally, at least some of the parties in a court case are not in court voluntarily, but rather have been brought into court by plaintiffs or by the government. A person who is not a party to the action may also be mentioned in the court record. Care should be taken that the privacy rights and interests of such involuntary parties or "third" persons are not unduly compromised.

Subsection (C) is intended to assure that public access provided under this order does not apply to information gathered, maintained, or stored by other agencies or entities that is not necessary to, or is not part of the basis of, a court's decision or the judicial process. Access to this information is governed by the law and the access policy of the agency collecting and maintaining such information. The ability of a computer in a court or clerk's office to access the information, because the computer uses shared software and databases, does not, by itself, make the information subject to this order.

Existing laws, rules and policies regarding court records have been carefully reviewed during the development of this access policy.

The Administrative Office of the Courts may provide advisory information to individuals or entities about the provisions, restrictions, and limitations of this order.

Section II. Commentary

Section II(A) provides the general rule that all persons, including members of the general public, the media, and commercial and noncommercial entities, are entitled to the same basic level of access to court records. Generally, access to court records is not determined by who is seeking access or the purpose for seeking access; however, some users, such as court employees or the parties to a particular case, may have greater access to those particular records than is afforded the general public.

Section II(B) provides the exception to the general rule and specifies the entities and persons for whom courts may provide greater access. This greater level of access is a result of the need for effective management of the judicial system and the protection of the right to a fair trial.

Sections II(B)(1) through (4) identify groups whose authority to access court records is different from that of the public.

Subsection (1): Employees of the court, court agency, and clerk of court need greater access than the public in order to do their work and therefore work under different access rules.

Subsection (2): Employees and subcontractors of entities who provide services to the court or clerk of court or court agency, that is, court services that have been "outsourced," may also need greater access to information to do their jobs and therefore operate under a different access policy. Section X provides the requirements under this order for contracts with vendors concerning court records.

Subsection (3): This subsection is intended to cover personnel in other governmental agencies who have a need for information in court records in order to do their work. An example of this would be an integrated justice system operated on behalf of several justice system agencies where access is governed by internal policies or statutes or rules applicable to all users of the integrated system.

Subsection (4): This subsection continues nearly unrestricted access by litigants and their lawyers to information in their own cases but no higher level of access to information in other cases. As to cases in which they are not the attorney of record, attorneys would have the same access as any other member of the public.

Section III. Commentary

Sections III(A)(1)-(3) explain which records in a court are covered by this order.

Section III(A)(1) excludes from the definition of "court record" information gathered, maintained, or stored by other agencies or entities that is not necessary to, or is not part of the basis of a court's decision or the judicial process. Access to this information is governed by the laws and access policy of the agency collecting and maintaining such information. The ability of a computer in a court or clerk's office to access the information, because the computer uses shared software and databases, does not, by itself, make the court records access policy applicable to the information. An example of this is information stored in an integrated criminal justice information system where all data is shared by law enforcement, the prosecutor, the court, defense counsel, and probation and corrections departments. The use of a shared system can blur the distinctions between agency records and court records. Under this section, if the information is provided to the court as part of a case or judicial proceeding, the court's access rules then apply, regardless of where the information came from or the access rules of that agency. Conversely, if the information is not made part of the court record, the access policy applicable to the agency collecting the data still applies even if the information is stored in a shared database.

Section III(A)(2), "Case Record," is meant to be all inclusive of information that is provided to, or made available to, the court that relates to a judicial proceeding. The term "judicial proceeding" is used because there may not be a court case in every situation. The definition is not limited to information "filed" with the court or "made part of the court record" because some types of information the court needs to make a fully informed decision might not be "filed" or technically part of the court record. The language is, therefore, written to include information delivered to, or "lodged" with, the court, even if it is not "filed." An example is a complaint accompanying a motion to waive the filing fee based on indigence. The definition is also intended to include exhibits offered in hearings or trials, even if not admitted into evidence.

The definition includes all information used by a court to make its decision, even if an appellate court subsequently rules that the information should not have been considered or was not relevant to the judicial decision made.

The language is intended to include within its scope materials that are submitted to the court, but upon which a court did not act because the matter was withdrawn or the case was resolved. Once relevant material has been submitted to the court, it does not become inaccessible because the court did not, in the end, act on the information in the materials because the parties resolved the issue without a court decision.

The definition is written to cover any information that relates to a judicial proceeding generated by the court itself, whether through the court administrator's personnel or the clerk's office personnel. This definition applies to proceedings conducted by temporary judges or referees hearing cases in an official capacity. This includes two categories of information. One category includes documents, such as notices, minutes, orders, and judgments, which become part of the court record. The second category includes information that is gathered, generated, or kept for the purpose of managing the court's cases. This information might never be in a document; it might only exist as information in a field of a database such as a case management system, an automated register of actions, or an index of cases or parties.

Another set of items included within the definition is the official record of the proceedings, whether it is notes and transcripts generated by a court reporter of what transpired at a hearing, or an audio or video recording (analog or digital) of the proceeding. Public Access to these materials shall be granted at the court's discretion under Section IX(A), and information that would otherwise be confidential, but is included within these materials because it was disclosed in open court, is not required to be redacted under Section VII. Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-13-501 et seq., court reporters are required to create transcripts only at the request of either party or the judge. The fees for creation of the transcript are set out in Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-506. This order attempts to retain the common-law framework for access to court reporters' materials, but recognizes that technological changes such as automated electronic transcription and audio and video streaming over the Internet may result in increased availability of these materials without unduly burdening the ongoing business of the judiciary. Administrative Order Number 6 governs broadcasting, recording or photographing in the courtroom.

Section III(A)(3) defines "Administrative Record." The definition of "court record" includes some information and records maintained by the court and clerk of court that is related to the management and administration of the court or the clerk's office. Examples of this category of information include: internal court policies, memoranda and correspondence, court budget and fiscal records, and other routinely produced administrative records, memos and reports, and meeting minutes.

This subsection makes it clear that the order applies only to information related to the judicial branch. Some information maintained by clerks of court is not a court record, nor is the court responsible for its collection, maintenance, or accessibility. Land records and voter records are examples of information that do not pertain to the administration of the judicial branch of government.

An administrative record might or might not be related to a particular case. That is to say, an administrative record may relate to a particular case and therefore be a case record also. For example, the application of a judicial official for reimbursement for expenses incurred in the course of administering justice in a particular case is both an administrative record and a case record. A record with such dual character may be subject to public disclosure in either capacity; inversely, the record is excluded from public access only if it qualifies for exclusion in both capacities. For this reason, a judicial official who creates administrative records should take care to avoid including the sort of information that may be excluded from public access to case records and that is not essential to the administrative purpose of the record.

Section III(A)(6) defines "public access" very broadly. The language implies that access is not conditioned on the reason access is requested or on prior permission being granted by the court. Access is defined to include the ability to obtain a copy of the information, not just inspect it. The section does not address the form of the copy, as there are numerous forms the copy could take, and more will probably become possible as technology continues to evolve.

A minimum inspection of the court record can be done at the courthouse where the record is maintained. It can also be done in any other manner determined by the court that serves the principles and interests specified in section I of this order. The inspection can be of the physical record or an electronic version of the court record. Access may be over the counter, by fax, by regular mail, by e-mail or by courier. The section does not preclude the court from making inspection possible via electronic means at other sites, or remotely. It also permits a court to satisfy the request to inspect by providing a printed report, computer disk, tape or other storage medium containing the information requested from the court record.

The section implies an equality of the ability to "inspect and obtain a copy" across the public. Implementing this equality will require the court to address several sources of inequality of access. Some people have physical impairments that prevent them from using the form of access available to most of the public. Another problem has to do with the existence of a "digital divide" regarding access to information in electronic form. The court should provide equivalent access to those who do not have the necessary electronic equipment to obtain access. Finally, there is the issue of the format of electronic information and whether it is equally accessible to all computer platforms and operating systems. The court should make electronic information equally available, regardless of the computer used to access the information (in other words, in a manner that is hardware and software independent).

Another aspect of access is the need to redact restricted information in documents before allowing access to the balance of the document. In some circumstances this may be a quite costly. Lack of, or insufficient, resources may present the court with an awkward choice of deciding between funding normal operations and funding activities related to access to court records. As technology improves it is becoming easier to develop software that allows redaction of pieces of information in documents in electronic form based on "tags" (such as XML tags) accompanying the information. When software to include such tags in documents becomes available, and court systems acquire the capability to use the tags, redaction will become more feasible, allowing the balance of a document to be accessible with little effort on the part of the court.

The objective of section III(A)(7) defining "remote access" is to describe a means of access that is technology neutral that is used to distinguish means of access for different types of information. The term is used in section V regarding information that should be remotely accessible. The key elements are that: 1) the access is electronic, 2) the electronic form of the access allows searching of records, as well as viewing and making an electronic copy of the information, 3) a person is not required to visit the courthouse to access the record, and 4) no assistance of court or clerk of court staff is needed to gain access (other than staff maintaining the information technology systems).

This definition is independent of any particular technology or means of access. Remote access may be accomplished electronically by any one or more of a number of existing technologies, including dedicated terminal, kiosk, dial-in service, or Internet site. Attaching electronic copies of information to e-mails, and mailing or faxing copies of documents in response to a letter or phone request for information would not constitute remote access under this definition.

In section III(A)(8), the breadth of the definition of "in electronic form" makes clear that this order applies to information that is available in any type of electronic form. The point of this section is to define what "in electronic form" means, not to define whether electronic information can be accessed or how it is accessed. This subsection refers to electronic versions of textual documents (for example documents produced on a word processor, or stored in some other text format such as PDF format), and pictures, charts, or other graphical representations of information (for example, graphics files, spreadsheet files, etc.).

A document might be electronically available as an image of a paper document produced by scanning, or another imaging technique (but not filming or microfilming). This document can be viewed on a screen and it appears as a readable document, but it is not searchable without the aid of OCR (optical character recognition) applications that translate the image into a searchable text format.

An electronic image may also be one produced of a document or other object through the use of a digital camera, for example in a courtroom as part of an evidence presentation system.

Courts are increasingly using case management systems, data warehouses or similar tools to maintain data about cases and court activities. This order applies equally to this information even though it is not produced or available in paper format unless a report containing the information is generated. This section also covers files created for, and transmitted through, an electronic filing system for court documents.

Evidence can be in the form of audio or videotapes of testimony or events. In addition audio and video recording (ER - electronic recording) and computer-aided transcription systems (CAT) using court reporters are increasingly being used to capture the verbatim record of court hearings and trials. In the future real-time video streaming of trials or other proceedings is a possibility. Because this information is in electronic form, it would fall within this definition.

Section III(A)(10) recognizes that compiled information is different from case-by-case access because it involves information from more than one case. Compiled information is different from bulk access in that it involves only some of the information from some cases and the information has been reformulated or aggregated; it is not just a copy of all the information in the court's records. Compiled information involves the creation of a new court record. In order to provide compiled information, a court generally must write a computer program to select the specific cases or information sought in the request, or otherwise use court resources to identify, gather, and copy the information.

Generating compiled data may require court resources and generating the compiled information may compete with the normal operations of the court for resources, which may be a reason for the court not to compile the information. It may be less costly for the court and less of an impact on the court to, instead, provide bulk distribution of the requested information, and let the requestor, rather than the court, compile the information.

The interchangeable definitions of "confidential" and "sealed" in section III(A)(11)-(14) recognize that in some circumstances the court is prohibited from disclosing the contents of a court record, and in some circumstances the court is prohibited from disclosing the very existence of a court record. For purposes of this order, the definition of "protective order" has the same meaning as found in the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, i.e., the usual means by which a court designates a court record or parts of a record as confidential or sealed, for example, to protect a trade secret that includes information necessary to adjudication, but which would be harmful to the litigant if disclosed to the public. Also, this order itself provides that certain information in court records is "confidential," such as a litigant's personal bank account number, section VII(A)(5). The definitions of "confidential" and "sealed" recognize, however, that this order and other laws may provide limited access to confidential information. For example, consistently with section II, attorneys typically may access un-redacted records in cases on which they are attorneys of record.

Redactions from a publicly disclosed court record to protect sealed content are ordinarily indicated in the disclosure. However, the definitions of "confidential" and "sealed" recognize that in some instances, as provided by court order or by law, the court is prohibited from disclosing even the existence of a court record. For example, when a court record is "expunged," as defined in section III(A)(14) and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-901, et seq. neither the existence of nor the contents of the records may be disclosed. In some cases, expunge also means the physical destruction of court records in juvenile cases pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309. In such cases, because physical destruction of the records in electronic form would be impractical, such records should be redacted to eliminate the ability to identify the juvenile while preserving sufficient information regarding the court's actions for statistical and historic purposes.

The Court recognizes that for public policy reasons, such as to assist first-time offenders to remain productive members of society, it is sometimes necessary to conceal not only the contents of court records, but also the very existence of them from the general public. Expungement is not the only means by which a record may be sealed and made confidential as against disclosure of its very existence; for example, such confidentiality is afforded to adoption records by Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-9-201, et seq. However, this order should not be construed to authorize the suppression of court records absent authorization by duly promulgated judicial rule or by duly enacted legislation. Cf. section IV(C).

The definition of "custodian" in section III(A)(16) recognizes that technology decreases the relevance of the physical location of records in electronic form. Court records might be stored remotely from the court in order to increase access, to provide greater security, to prevent loss in case of disaster, or to share resources with other agencies. However, that the records in electronic form are not physically located within a structure housing the court neither reduces the responsibility of the court and clerk for the content of the records, nor gives to the person holding the records for the purposes of storage, safekeeping, or data processing for the court the authority to disseminate the records.

Section IV. Commentary

The objective of this section is to make clear that this order applies to information in the court record regardless of the manner in which the information was created, collected or submitted to the court. Application of this order is not affected by the means of storage, manner of presentation or the form in which information is maintained. To support the general principle of open access, the application of the rule is independent of the technology or the format of the information.

Subsection (A) states the general premise that information in the court record will be publicly accessible unless access is specifically prohibited. The provision does not require any particular level of access, nor does it require a court to provide access in any particular form, for example, publishing court records in electronic form on a web site or dial-in database.

Subsection (C) provides a way for the public to know that information exists even though public access to the information itself is prohibited. This allows a member of the public to request access to the restricted record under section IX, which they would not know to do if the existence of the restricted information was not known.

However, the Court recognizes that for public policy reasons, such as to assist first-time offenders to remain productive members of society, it is sometimes necessary to conceal not only the contents of court records, but also the very existence of them from the general public. For example, Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-903 limits the disclosure of the existence of certain expunged records. Section IV(C) accommodates this necessity, but should not be construed to authorize the suppression of court records absent authorization by duly promulgated judicial rule or by duly enacted legislation.

Section V. Commentary

This order does not impose an affirmative obligation to preserve information or data, or to transform information or data received into a format or medium that is not otherwise routinely maintained by the court. While this section encourages courts to make the designated information available to the public through remote access, this is not required, even if the information already exists in an electronic format.

Several types of information in court records have traditionally been given wider public distribution than merely making them publicly accessible at the courthouse. Typical examples are listed in this section. Often this information is regularly published in newspapers, particularly legal papers. Many of the first automated case management systems included a capability to make this information available electronically, at least on computer terminals in the courthouse, or through dial-up connections. Similarly, courts have long prepared registers of actions that indicate for each case what documents or other materials have been filed in the case. Again, early case management systems often automated this function. The summary or general nature of the information is such that there is little risk of harm to an individual through unwarranted invasion of privacy or proprietary business interests. This section acknowledges and encourages this public distribution practice by making these records presumptively accessible remotely, particularly if they are in electronic form. When a court begins to make information available remotely, they are encouraged to start with the categories of information identified in this list.

While not every court, or every automated system, is capable of providing this type of access, courts are encouraged to develop the capability to do so. The listing of information that should be made remotely available in no way is intended to imply that other information should not be made remotely available. Some court automated systems may also make more information available remotely to litigants and their lawyers than is available to the public.

Making certain types of information remotely accessible allows the court to make cost effective use of public resources provided for its operation. If the information is not available, someone requesting the information will have to call the court or come down to the courthouse and request the information. Public resources will be consumed with court staff locating case files containing the record or information, providing it to the requestor, and returning the case file to the shelf. If the requestor can obtain the information remotely, without involvement of court staff, there will be less use of court resources.

In implementing this section a court should be mindful about what specific pieces of information are appropriately remotely accessible. Care should be taken that the release of information is consistent with all provisions of the access policy, especially regarding personal identification information. For example, the information remotely accessible should not include information presumptively excluded from public access pursuant to section VII, or prohibited from public access by court order. An example of calendar information that may not by accessible by law is that relating to juvenile cases, adoptions, and mental health cases.

Subsection (5): One role of the judiciary, in resolving disputes, is to state the respective rights, obligations and interests of the parties to the dispute. This declaration of rights, obligations and interests usually is in the form of a judgment or other type of final order. Judgments or final orders have often had greater public accessibility by court rule or statutory requirement that they be recorded in a "judgment book." One reason this is done is to simplify public access by placing all such information in one place, rather than making someone step through numerous individual case files to find them. Recognizing such practices, this order specifically encourages this information to be remotely accessible if in electronic form.

There are circumstances where information about charges and convictions in criminal cases can change over time, which could mean copies of such listings derived from court records can become inaccurate unless updated. For example, a defendant may be charged with a felony, but the charge may be dismissed, or modified or reduced to a misdemeanor when the case is concluded. In other circumstances a felony conviction may be reduced to a misdemeanor conviction if the defendant successfully completes probation. These types of circumstances suggest that there be a disclaimer associated with such information, and that education about these possibilities be provided to litigants and the public.

Section VI. Commentary

In the past, court information other than that required to be reported to the Administrative Office of the Courts, was available only directly from the courts. In 2001, the Arkansas Court Automation Project began, with its long-term goal to provide a centralized case management system for all courts in the State of Arkansas. This project is the foundation to provide state-wide electronic filing and document imaging for the courts. As courts go online with the new system, the public will have a more convenient central location from which to request court records.

Subsection (A) of this rule requires that requests for bulk distribution or compiled information be submitted to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or other designee of the Court. If the information requested is contained in the data required to be reported to the Director, then the request will be considered by the Director according to this section. If the information requested is not contained in the data required to be reported to the Director, and either the Administrative Office does not hold the court records or the Administrative Office does hold the court records but does not have permission from the custodian of the court records to disclose the requested records pursuant to this order, then the Director's response will inform the requester which requested records are available only from the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records.

This section creates a two-track system for access to bulk distribution and compiled information. The first track, described in subsection (B), pertains only to information that is not excluded from disclosure by section VII of this order. The provision of bulk distribution and compiled information is required when certain conditions are met. The use must be one among specified non-commercial purposes, the court must be able to comply with the request without unreasonably excessive effort to meet the requester's format and medium demands, and information made confidential by this order must be reasonably segregable from the public information requested. The latter two requirements, as well as the "actual costs" principle of subsection (B)(2), are modeled on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Like under the FOIA, custodians and requesters under subsection (B) may reach agreements as to the provision of bulk distribution or compiled information when meeting the request would exceed the reasonableness scope of the medium-format compatibility provision.

In allowing bulk or compiled data requests, courts must limit bulk data to court records, even if those requesting this information are seeking other information which is governed by other agencies' policies.

The second track, described in subsection (C), pertains to information requests regardless of whether the information is excluded from disclosure by section VII of this order. Although the second track therefore potentially allows access to more information than the first track, including confidential information, provision of the information is discretionary, and requirements upon requesters are more onerous. Subsection (C) contemplates that the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records if the Administrative Office of the Courts is unable to provide the records, will balance competing concerns, including the public interests in both privacy and disclosure, the interests of the requester, and the interests of efficient judicial administration. Generating compiled data may require resources, and generating the compiled information may compete with the normal operations of the court or court agency for resources, which may be reasons not to compile the information. However, it may be less demanding on resources to instead provide bulk distribution of requested information and let the requester compile the information.

In addition to the requirements of subsection (C)(1) pertaining to requests, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the court or court agency having jurisdiction over the records if the Administrative Office of the Courts is unable to provide the records, may impose any number of additional restrictions upon requesters concerning the terms by which the requested information is disclosed. The enumerated terms are illustrative and not exhaustive. Indeed, information may be released to a requester who intends to engage in commercial uses, making a limitation on commercial use inappropriate in one case, while in another case, the use may be constrained to the requester's stated governmental purpose. It is anticipated that the Administrative Office of the Courts will develop pattern licensing arrangements for common classes of requests.

Subsection (C)(1)(e) concerns the avoidance of error in the use of personally identifying information. For example, if a requester obtains only the names of persons involved in a certain class of litigation, and not other personally identifying information about the persons involved, there might occur confusion between those persons and others with the same names. Thus it might be appropriate for a requester to obtain more personally identifying information rather than less, so that, for example, names might be cross-referenced and distinguished by year of birth. A requester should use at least two identifiers when individual identity will be retained in bulk distribution or compiled information. Guidelines of the National Crime Information Center on this point may be consulted.

At the same time, these measures to avoid mistaken identity operate in careful balance with subsection (C)(4), which limits the disclosure of personally identifying information excluded from public disclosure under section VII to partial but useful data components, such as only the last four digits of a driver's license number. More complete identifying information should be provided only in extraordinary circumstances.

Section VII. Commentary

Subsection (A)(1) Federal Law: There are several types of information that are commonly but possibly incorrectly, considered to be protected from public disclosure by federal law. Although there may be restrictions on federal agencies disclosing Social Security numbers, they may not apply to state or local agencies such as courts or clerks of courts. While federal law prohibits disclosure of tax returns by federal agencies or employees, this prohibition may not extend to disclosure by others. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and regulations adopted pursuant to it limit disclosure of certain health related information. Whether the limitation extends to state court records is not clear. There are also federal restrictions regarding information in alcohol and drug abuse patient records and requiring confidentiality of information acquired by drug court programs. This order does not supersede any federal law or regulation requiring privacy or non-disclosure of information.

In addition to deliberative material excluded under this order, a court may exclude from public access materials generated or created by a court reporter with the exception of the official transcript.

This Court recognizes that "[a] trial court has the inherent authority to protect the integrity of the court in actions pending before it and may issue appropriate protective orders that would provide FOIA exemption under Section 25-19-105(b)(8)." See City of Fayetteville v. Edmark, 304 Ark. 179, 191 (1990). Rule 26(c) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure further recognizes that "the court in which the action is pending may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense."

Subsection (A)(2) clarifies that this order does not supersede any Arkansas law requiring privacy or non-disclosure of information in court records. The following is a non-exhaustive list of Arkansas Code Annotated sections regarding confidentiality of records whose confidentiality may extend to the records even if they become court records:

(a) adoption records as provided in the Revised Uniform Adoption Act, as amended, Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-9-201, et seq.;

(b) records relating to Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-82-101 et. seq.;

(c) records relating to child abuse not admitted into evidence as part of a public proceeding, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-12-501, et seq.;

(d) records relating to drug tests conducted pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 11-14-101, et seq. except as provided by Ark. Code Ann. § 11-14-109;

(e) records of grand jury minutes, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(b)(4);

(f) records of juvenile proceedings, pursuant to Ark. Code § 9-27-309;

(g) the master list of jurors' names and addresses, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-32-103;

(h) addresses and phone numbers of prospective jurors, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-33-101;

(i) indictment against any person not in actual confinement, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-85-408;

(j) home or business address of petitioner for domestic order of protection if omitted by petitioner, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-15-203;

(k) records or writings made at dispute resolution proceedings, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-7-206;

(l) information related to defendant's attendance, attitude, participation, and results of drug screens when participating in a pre- or post-trial treatment program for drug abuse pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-98-201, even though defendant may have executed a consent for a limited release of confidential information regarding treatment permitting the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney access to the information.

Subsection (B) presumes that administrative records will be governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, but recognizes that some public record exclusions are codified outside of the Act and that courts have inherent authority to restrict access to court records.

Freedom of Information Act exemptions are only exemptions to the enclosing act. The reference to the Arkansas Code Annotated should not be construed as applying FOIA exemptions to the courts. They may provide guidance upon a motion for a protective order, but should not be construed to be general exemptions beyond their context.

Section VIII. Commentary

This section is intended to address those extraordinary circumstances in which confidential information or information which is otherwise excluded from public access is to be included in a release of information. In some circumstances, the nature of the information contained in a record and the restrictions placed on the accessibility of the information contained in that record may be governed by federal or state law. This section is not intended to modify or overrule any federal or state law governing such records or the process for releasing information.

Information excluded from public access that is sought in a request for bulk or compiled records is governed by section VI of this order.

Section IX. Commentary

Subsection (A) is intended to retain the common-law framework with respect to public access to court records at the courthouse. The section recognizes that access to trial exhibits and trial transcript source materials not filed with the court clerk is subject to the discretion of the court. This section is not intended to enhance, extend, or diminish the discretion of the court with respect to access to exhibits and transcript source materials.

This section does not preclude or require "after hours" access to court records in electronic form. Courts are encouraged to provide access to records in electronic form beyond the hours access is available at the courthouse, however, it is not the intent of this order to compel such additional access.

Section X. Commentary

This section is intended to apply when information technology services are provided to a court by an agency outside the judicial branch, or by outsourcing of court information technology services to non-governmental entities. Implicit in this order is the concept that all court records are under the authority of the judiciary, and that the judiciary has the responsibility to ensure public access to court records and to restrict access where appropriate. This applies as well to court records maintained in systems operated by any non-judicial governmental department or agency.

Section XI. Commentary

The Supreme Court recognizes that it is not within its constitutional authority to either establish or provide immunity for civil or criminal liability based on violations of this order. The intent of this section is to make clear that absent a statutory or common-law basis for civil or criminal liability, violation of this order alone is insufficient to establish or deny liability for violating the order. Neither does this section preclude the possibility that violation of this order may be used as evidence of negligence or misconduct that resulted in a statutory or common law claim for civil or criminal liability.

Order 20. Private Civil Process Servers Appointment—Qualifications

(a) Authority to Appoint Persons to Serve Process in Civil Cases. The administrative judge of a judicial district, or any circuit judge(s) designated by the administrative judge, may issue an order appointing an individual to make service of process pursuant to Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(2) in cases pending in each county of the district wherein approval has been granted. The appointment shall be effective for every division of circuit court, and for every district court, in the county.

(b) Minimum Qualifications to Serve Process. Each person appointed to serve process must have these minimum qualifications:
(1) be not less than 18 years old and a citizen of the United States;
(2) have a high school diploma or equivalent;
(3) not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or a crime involving dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment;
(4) hold a valid driver’s license from one of the United States; and
(5) demonstrate familiarity with the various documents to be served.

Each judicial district may, with the concurrence of all the circuit judges in that district, prescribe additional qualifications.

(c) Appointment Procedure.
(1) A person seeking court appointment to serve process shall file an application with the circuit clerk. In a multi-county district, an applicant may file an application in one county seeking appointment in one or more counties of the district. The application shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating the applicant’s name, address, occupation, and employer, and establishing the applicant’s minimum qualifications pursuant to section (b) of this Administrative Order. Neither the application nor the affidavit shall require disclosure of the applicant’s social security number. The General Assembly will set any application fee charged by the circuit court.

(2) The circuit judge shall determine from the application and affidavit, and from whatever other inquiry is needed, whether the applicant meets the minimum qualifications prescribed by this Administrative Order and any additional qualifications prescribed in that district. If the judge determines that the applicant is qualified, then the judge shall issue an order of appointment. The circuit clerk shall file the order, and provide a certified copy of it to the process server and to the sheriff of the county in which the person will serve process. The circuit clerk of each county shall maintain and post a list of appointed civil process servers. In multi-county districts, if the applicant has sought appointment in more than one county, then the order shall specify the counties in which the process server is qualified. In this instance, the circuit clerk shall also provide a certified copy of the order to the sheriff and circuit clerk of each county in which the person will serve process.

(d) Identification. When serving process, each process server shall carry a certified copy of his or her order of appointment and a valid driver’s license. He or she shall, upon request or inquiry, present this identification at the time service is made.

(e) Duration, Renewal, and Revocation.
A judge shall appoint process servers for a fixed term not to exceed three years. Appointments shall be renewable for additional three-year terms. A process server seeking a renewal appointment shall file an application for renewal and supporting affidavit demonstrating that he or she meets the minimum qualifications prescribed by this Administrative Order and the judicial district. The General Assembly shall set any renewal fee charged by the circuit court. Upon notice to the administrative judge, any circuit judge may revoke an appointment to serve process for his or her division for any of the following reasons: (1) making a false return of service; (2) serious and purposeful improper service of process; (3) failing to meet the minimum qualifications for serving process; (4) misrepresentation of authority, position, or duty; or (5) other good cause.

(f) Forms. Forms for the application, affidavit, order of appointment, and renewal of appointment are available at the Administrative Office of the Courts section of the Arkansas Judiciary website, http://courts.state.ar.us.

 

Explanatory Note, 2008 Amendment: The Administrative Order has been clarified in various respects. The change in subsection (a) confirms that the Order and Rule 4(c)(2) must be read in harmony. Moreover, the circuit court’s authority extends to appointing process servers for the district courts within the judicial district. In subsection (b), the requirement of having Arkansas driver’s license has been changed to having a valid driver’s license from any state. In subsection (c), the procedure for appointment in multi-county districts has been spelled out: an applicant may seek a multi-county appointment by applying to any circuit court in a multi-county district. The circuit clerk in the county where the petition is filed must provide certified copies of any appointment order to the circuit clerks and sheriffs in all counties covered by the appointment. As amended, the Order prohibits requiring an applicant to disclose his or her social security number during the application process. Finally, the Order clarifies that any fee related to an application for appointment or renewal shall be set by the General Assembly.

Explanatory Note: This new Administrative Order imposes expanded minimum qualifications for private process servers in civil cases. Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(2) formerly provided that the circuit court could appoint any person more than eighteen years old to serve process. Given the importance and effect of service of process, that qualification is insufficient. The expanded minimum qualifications imposed by this Administrative Order will help ensure the competence and character of private process servers. The Order establishes a floor, not a ceiling: the circuit judges in each judicial district may establish additional qualifications. Rule 4(c)(2) has been amended to incorporate this Order by reference. The Order also creates a uniform procedure for appointment and reappointment by the circuit court, as well as giving examples of the good cause which would justify revocation of the privilege of serving process. Finally, the Order requires process servers to carry a certified copy of their order of appointment, and their driver’s license, to establish the server’s legal authority.