Karen Baker

Arkansas Supreme Court administrator asks chief justice to stay away, pending disciplinary review

KUAR | By Sonny Albarado / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker has been asked by the state court system’s chief administrator to stay out of his office and not communicate with his staff, pending a disciplinary review.

In an email to Baker on Monday, Administrative Office of the Courts Director Marty Sullivan advised Baker that an investigation of her conduct in December by the office’s personnel department had been completed and a report forwarded to the state’s judicial discipline commission.

“Per the recommendation of the report, I believe it is more than reasonable that you do not enter AOC offices or engage in direct contact or communication with AOC staff until the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission provides further instruction,” Sullivan’s email says.

Arkansas Supreme Court administrator asks chief justice to stay away, pending disciplinary review

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Justice Building on the state Capitol grounds in Little Rock on Jan. 14, 2025. The building houses the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Arkansas Supreme Court refers one of its own for disciplinary investigation

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Members of the Arkansas Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a case filed by Justice Courtney Hudson seeking to block the release of her emails from a public records request and have referred her for disciplinary investigation.

In an unsigned per curiam opinion issued Tuesday, the state’s high court vacated a preliminary injunction granted by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Patricia James on Monday and dismissed the underlying complaint with prejudice for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. “With prejudice” means the case cannot be refiled.

Hudson and Justice Karen Baker dissented. The opinion said written opinions would follow, but none had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon.

Arkansas Supreme Court refers one of its own for disciplinary investigation

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas Supreme Court building in Little Rock.

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker announces for re-election

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net) January 20, 2022 8:47 pm

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker said Thursday (Jan. 20) she would seek a third term on the state’s highest court.

Baker has served two terms as a Supreme Court Justice. She completed the remaining four years of then-Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber’s term, and was elected to a full-term in 2014.

“I believe my experience at every level of the judiciary is unmatched, and I am currently the senior, most experienced justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. I want to continue to put that experience to work for the people of Arkansas,” Justice Baker said in an announcement release.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/arkansas-supreme-court-justice-karen-baker-announces-for-re-election/