Arkansas' Supreme Court and its newly sworn-in Chief Justice are publicly clashing over who has the authority to fire top court officials. Chief Justice Baker asserts her constitutional right to make these decisions, while the conservative court majority claims otherwise.
US troops need to stay in Syria to counter the Islamic State group, Austin saysWildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 5 as thousands flee homesSenate committee to hold confirmation hearing for defense secretary nominee Hegseth on Jan 14'Wicked' tops SAG Awards nominations as many big names are snubbedTrump meets with Republicans on Capitol Hill as GOP struggles to agree on legislative strategyNASA proposes cheaper and quicker way to get Mars rocks and soil to...
The court’s conservative majority last week issued an order reversing Baker’s attempts to fire the head of the Administrative Office of the Courts and several other officials, including the court’s police chief. The court said the AOC director’s hiring and firing required the support of at least four members of the seven-member court.Baker said the move went against an earlier order issued by her predecessor, former Chief Justice Dan Kemp, issued in 2017.
The chief justice and the court are also wrangling over who has the power to appoint members of the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, the panel that investigates and sanctions judges. The court’s majority on Monday reappointed two members of the court and appointed another, saying she tried to unilaterally appoint three other members.
The court’s seats are technically nonpartisan, though Republican-backed justices hold five of the seven court seats. Baker defeated Justice Rhonda Wood in a November runoff after a March election that also included Justice Barbara Webb.
Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Feud Firing Authority Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Retiring Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht reflects on court he helped changeNathan Hecht won six reelections and led the court as chief justice for more than a decade. He retires now not because he’s had enough, but because state law…
Read more »
Arkansas governor appoints 2 justices to Supreme Court, and new secretary of stateArkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has named two new justices to the state Supreme Court and a new secretary of state. The Republican on governor on Friday announced the appointments that will take effect in January to fill vacancies created by this year's election.
Read more »
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht RetiresNathan Hecht, the longest-serving member of the Texas Supreme Court, is retiring after a long career in law. He reflects on his journey from a New Mexico farm to the state's highest civil court.
Read more »
Threats to Judicial Independence: Supreme Court Chief Justice Raises AlarmSupreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted four main threats to the independence of judges: violence, intimidation, disinformation, and defiance of court rulings. Roberts expressed his concerns in the Supreme Court's annual report, which comes after a year of heightened scrutiny and controversy surrounding the court's decisions, particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Read more »
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht Retires After Legendary CareerChief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, the longest-serving justice on the Texas Supreme Court, retired after a remarkable 35-year career marked by his dedication to improving access to justice for all Texans. Hecht was known for his advocacy for the poor and his commitment to ensuring that justice was not limited to those who could afford it.
Read more »
Texas Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock Elevated to Chief JusticeTexas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Texas Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock as the new chief justice, replacing Nathan Hecht. Abbott also appointed James P. Sullivan, his general counsel, to fill Blacklock's vacated seat on the court. This move further solidifies the court's conservative stance.
Read more »