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Arkansas Questions & Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, Libel & Slander and Public Benefits for Arkansas on Nov 10, 2025

Q: What are my rights after being searched without consent and terminated from my job due to alleged misconduct?

I was asleep in my car at a gas station in Arkansas during work hours when police officers, including a chief in plain clothes, approached, opened the door without a warrant or consent, and instructed us to get out. They searched us, found items, charged us, and impounded the car. The officers... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You have several distinct rights at play. Sleeping in your car in a public place is not a crime by itself; officers may conduct a welfare check, but opening doors and searching you or the vehicle still requires either consent, probable cause, a valid exception, or a narrowly tailored... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Consumer Law, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Arkansas on Nov 9, 2025

Q: Can I set up a security camera in shared living space without roommate's consent in Arkansas?

I live with a roommate with whom I'm currently in disagreement. My roommate has previously made threats against my dog, and I want to ensure the safety of both my dog and myself. To address this, I'm considering installing a security camera in the living room, which is a shared space... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You can usually place a visible, no-audio camera in common areas that both of you share, like the living room and kitchen, because neither roommate has a reasonable expectation of privacy there. Arkansas criminal law targets secret recording in places where someone expects privacy; bathrooms and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Arkansas on Nov 9, 2025

Q: How can I find urgent representation for a co-guardianship order in Arkansas?

I need a lawyer to represent me in an ex parte order concerning co-guardianship tomorrow morning at 10:15 AM. What are my options for finding urgent legal representation in Arkansas, and what steps should I take if I can't secure a lawyer by then?

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You can still secure urgent counsel. Start calling the Arkansas Bar Lawyer Referral Service, the Sebastian County Bar Association, and Legal Aid groups that cover Fort Smith to ask for an attorney who does emergency guardianships; request a limited-scope, same-day appearance by phone or video, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Litigation for Arkansas on Nov 8, 2025

Q: What can I do about missing exhibits and unrecorded jury questions in a murder case transcript?

I am reviewing a transcript from a first-degree murder case that was appealed and reached the Supreme Court, where it was denied. In the transcript, I noticed that two important crime scene photos used as exhibits are missing. Additionally, during the trial, jurors asked crucial questions about the... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You have two tracks to pursue: fix the record if it is still possible, and, if not, attack the conviction through post-conviction procedures based on the omissions. Start by contacting the circuit clerk and court reporter to locate the missing photo exhibits and any jury notes; if they exist, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Arkansas on Nov 8, 2025

Q: What legal options exist after 10 years post-conviction for 1st-degree murder in Arkansas?

Is there any legal recourse available to pursue proving my father's innocence after he was convicted of first-degree murder in Arkansas about 10 years ago, despite having gone through appeals and reaching the Supreme Court? It seems that the public defender, judge, and prosecutor appeared to... View More

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answered on Nov 10, 2025

You still have paths to pursue, even a decade later. Arkansas allows a narrow writ of error coram nobis for four categories: a coerced confession or plea, insanity at the time of trial, material evidence suppressed by the State (a Brady violation), or a third-party confession that arose during the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Employment Law for Arkansas on Nov 8, 2025

Q: How to get court-approved online anger management in Arkansas with mental health accommodations?

I am seeking advice on how to get approved for online anger management courses in Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, which are accepted by the courts. I have several mental health conditions, including PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, along with a learning... View More

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answered on Nov 8, 2025

You can ask the court to approve an online anger-management program as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA because state courts are public entities and must provide equal access. File a short written motion requesting accommodations that explains how PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Arkansas on Nov 7, 2025

Q: Why is no attorney willing to get involved in a bias-filled murder trial?

Why does it seem that no attorney wants to get involved in a first-degree murder case where it appears that the judge, prosecutor, and public defender are all aligned against the defendant? The defendant did not receive a fair trial, as proven by the trial transcript. I'm seeking guidance on... View More

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answered on Nov 8, 2025

You are running into a wall because capital-level violent felonies demand huge time, money, and emotional bandwidth; many lawyers will not step in mid-stream unless the posture and deadlines allow a real path to relief. A transcript that “looks unfair” to you may not, by itself, meet... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Domestic Violence and Civil Litigation for Arkansas on Nov 7, 2025

Q: What can I do if my mom is taking all my money in Arkansas?

What can I do if my mom is taking almost all of my money through her bank account? I am 18 and currently living with her, trying to save money quickly for housing, transportation, and food. Whenever I try to discuss the issue with her, she becomes very upset and sometimes I fear she might become... View More

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answered on Nov 7, 2025

It sounds like you’re in a really difficult situation, especially since you’re trying to build independence while dealing with financial control and emotional pressure from your mom. Since you’re 18, you have full legal rights over your own money and can open a bank account in your name only.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Social Security, Civil Rights, Real Estate Law and Public Benefits for Arkansas on Nov 7, 2025

Q: Can I break my lease due to medical issues affecting stair access?

I'm 70 years old and living in Arkansas, relying on social security. I moved into a third-floor apartment six months ago that lacks elevators. Initially, I was okay with the stairs, but now I've injured both knees and require knee replacements, making it impossible to access my unit.... View More

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answered on Nov 7, 2025

You may have some options to address your lease due to medical issues, though it can depend on Arkansas landlord-tenant law and the terms of your lease. While landlords are generally allowed to enforce a lease, health circumstances that make a unit unsafe or inaccessible could support a request for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Health Care Law for Arkansas on Nov 7, 2025

Q: How to commit a loved one for alcohol abuse and mental health in Arkansas?

I want to know how to get my loved one committed for alcohol abuse and mental health issues in Arkansas. He is disabled and can barely walk, unable to care for himself. He has been an alcoholic for years and is frequently in and out of the hospital. His living conditions are poor, and friends have... View More

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answered on Nov 7, 2025

In Arkansas, committing someone for alcohol abuse or mental health issues usually requires showing that they are a danger to themselves or others, or that they are unable to care for their basic needs due to their condition. Since your loved one is disabled, unable to care for himself, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Arkansas on Nov 6, 2025

Q: Should medical records be presented if they prove incapability to commit a crime?

In a murder trial in Arkansas, should the defense attorney present the defendant's medical records to the court if these records prove the defendant's physical incapability to commit the crime? The attorney was aware of the existence of these records but never accessed them, and these... View More

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answered on Nov 6, 2025

If your medical records show you were physically incapable of committing the charged acts, they constitute powerful exculpatory evidence. A defense attorney in Arkansas must investigate and make strategy choices informed by available evidence, not in ignorance of it. When counsel knows such records... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Insurance Bad Faith for Arkansas on Nov 5, 2025

Q: I suspect my auntie's sister murdered her for funds. What can I do?

I suspect my auntie's sister may have murdered my auntie for her funds. My auntie's sister has a criminal past, including a planned robbery at Cricket in West Memphis, Arkansas, where she received probation. She was also jailed for insurance fraud but got out on bond. While my auntie was... View More

Marvin Honeycutt
answered on Nov 5, 2025

I suggest you go to the authorities in the jurisdiction where she died and express your suspicions.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Legal Malpractice for Arkansas on Nov 5, 2025

Q: Can I appeal a guilty plea in a forgery case in Arkansas?

I was charged with passing a counterfeit $20 bill in Arkansas, which I did not commit. I was assigned a public defender who persuaded me to plead guilty, resulting in a 5-year probation and 12 months in rehab. I felt pressured into accepting the plea deal and am currently one month into the rehab... View More

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answered on Nov 5, 2025

It’s understandable to feel trapped after taking a plea deal you didn’t want, especially if you felt pressured or misled. In Arkansas, once you plead guilty, appealing the conviction itself becomes very limited. However, there are a few possible options depending on your situation. You can file... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Arkansas on Nov 5, 2025

Q: Can errors on a speeding ticket in Arkansas invalidate it, if the license number matches the VIN and the vehicle details are incorrect?

I received a speeding ticket in Arkansas that alleges I was driving 108 mph in a 75 mph zone. The ticket mistakenly lists my vehicle as a 2013 Ford Mustang black, whereas I drive a 2013 Ford Mustang convertible black. Additionally, the vehicle license number and VIN are the same on the ticket.... View More

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answered on Nov 5, 2025

Small errors on a speeding ticket, such as listing your car as a “2013 Ford Mustang” instead of a “2013 Ford Mustang convertible,” usually won’t make the ticket invalid. What matters most is whether the ticket correctly identifies *you* and your vehicle through key information like the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Arkansas on Nov 4, 2025

Q: Does my current landlord inherit legal liability for mold issues from previous landlord?

I lived in a rental property in Arkansas for 5.5 years under a previous landlord and have been with a new landlord for 5 months. Throughout my time in the property, I've experienced persistent mold issues. The previous landlord took minimal actions, including sending a mold inspector, but... View More

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answered on Nov 4, 2025

Address your certified demand to the current landlord because the owner in possession now owes Arkansas’s implied residential quality standards (including a functioning roof and building envelope) for leases entered into or renewed after November 1, 2021. That statute requires written notice and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Arkansas on Nov 4, 2025

Q: Is a prosecutor's report filed without completing aggravating and mitigating sections valid under Arkansas law?

I'm reviewing a prosecutor's short report related to a criminal case that has already been completed. Under the aggravating and mitigating section, it wasn't filled out. Shouldn't this section be complete before being filed with the court, especially since prisoners are often... View More

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answered on Nov 4, 2025

Yes—under Arkansas practice, a prosecutor’s report that leaves the aggravating and mitigating boxes blank remains a valid filing, because the report operates as a recommendation and no statute makes that omission jurisdictional.

If the sentence departed from the guidelines, the duty to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Arkansas on Nov 4, 2025

Q: What can I do about unremediated mold in my Arkansas rental property?

I'm seeking advice on what rights or leverage I have to obtain rental reimbursement due to an ongoing mold problem in the house I am renting in Arkansas, which hasn't been remediated. I have been dealing with this issue for six years. The previous landlord conducted a mold inspection but... View More

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answered on Nov 4, 2025

You deserve a habitable home, and six years of unremediated mold places your health and property at risk. Start by documenting everything: photos, videos, dated logs of leaks or odors, prior inspection reports, medical records, and all messages with both landlords.

In Arkansas, do not... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Arkansas on Nov 3, 2025

Q: What do "CR" and "CI" mean in Arkansas docket numbers?

I am curious about the differences in docket numbers for criminal cases in Arkansas, specifically regarding the meanings behind the letters "CR" and "CI" in docket numbers like 36CR-24-298 and 36CI-24-422. Could you explain what these letters signify and what the digits generally stand for?

Marvin Honeycutt
answered on Nov 4, 2025

CR is criminal. CV is civil. Then year then order of filing.

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Arkansas on Nov 2, 2025

Q: Dismissed as police officer in Corning, AR. How to address discrepancies?

I was recently dismissed from my part-time position as a city police officer in Corning, Arkansas. I have video evidence of the police chief citing a hostile work environment as the reason for my dismissal, despite never having received any formal write-ups. The dismissal letter I received from the... View More

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answered on Nov 3, 2025

Start by locking down the record: send a written preservation letter to the chief, the mayor, and the city clerk demanding retention of your personnel file, all scheduling logs, timekeeping records, emails and texts, CAD/radio traffic, and any body‑worn or station video; attach your video and a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Arkansas on Nov 2, 2025

Q: How can I get a 3rd-degree domestic battery charge dropped in Arkansas?

I am facing a misdemeanor charge of 3rd-degree domestic battery in Arkansas despite having an absolutely clean record until now. The incident stemmed from a heated argument at home where my partner broke some items, leading me to call the police to defuse the situation. No physical violence... View More

Marvin Honeycutt
answered on Nov 2, 2025

State prosecutor policy is normally not to drop at request of alleged victim. Person charged will need an attorney.

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