At Brownstone Law, we specialize in appellate litigation, offering expert guidance through the complexities of the Arkansas appellate court system. Our seasoned attorneys are dedicated to representing clients in appeals before the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Understanding the Arkansas Appellate Court System

The Arkansas appellate court system is bifurcated into two primary courts:

  1. Arkansas Court of Appeals: This intermediate appellate court reviews cases appealed from lower courts, providing decisions on a wide range of civil and criminal matters.
  2. Arkansas Supreme Court: As the state’s highest court, it has discretionary jurisdiction over appeals and addresses significant legal questions impacting Arkansas law.

Process for Appealing a Case to the Arkansas Court of Appeals

Initiating an appeal in Arkansas involves several critical steps:

  1. Notice of Appeal: File a notice of appeal with the trial court clerk within 30 days of the judgment.
  2. Record on Appeal: Compile the trial court record, including transcripts and relevant documents.
  3. Briefs Submission: The appellant submits a brief outlining errors in the trial court’s decision, followed by the appellee’s response.
  4. Oral Arguments: In some cases, the court may schedule oral arguments to allow attorneys to present their positions.
  5. Decision: The Court of Appeals issues a written opinion, which may affirm, reverse, or remand the case.

Arkansas Appellate Court Structure

  • Arkansas Court of Appeals: Comprises 12 judges divided into panels.
  • Arkansas Supreme Court: Consists of seven justices, including a Chief Justice.

Rules for Appealing a Case in Arkansas

Appeals in Arkansas are governed by specific procedural rules:

  • Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure: These rules outline the procedures for civil and criminal appeals.
  • Administrative Orders: Additional directives that may impact appellate procedures.

High-Profile Cases Handled by Arkansas Appellate Courts

The Arkansas appellate courts have presided over several notable cases:

  • West Memphis Three: A case involving three men convicted as teenagers for the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. After years of appeals and new evidence, they were released in 2011 under an Alford plea.
  • Wright v. Arkansas: A landmark 2014 case where Circuit Judge Chris Piazza struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, leading to a series of appeals and significant legal discourse.

Arkansas Supreme Court Contact Information

  • Address: 625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
  • Phone: (501) 682-6849
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Arkansas Supreme Court
  • Latitude and Longitude: 34.745167°N, 92.290972°W

Arkansas Court of Appeals Contact Information

  • Address: 625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
  • Phone: (501) 682-9400
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Website: Arkansas Court of Appeals
  • Latitude and Longitude: 34.7457917°N, 92.2909750°W

Brownstone Law Services

Our firm offers specialized services in:

  • Arkansas Federal Appeals: Representing clients in federal appellate courts.
  • Arkansas Habeas Corpus: Assisting with petitions challenging unlawful detention.

For more information, visit our Arkansas Federal Appeals and Arkansas Habeas Corpus pages.

At Brownstone Law, we are committed to providing exceptional appellate representation, ensuring that your case is presented with the utmost professionalism and expertise.