IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
NUMBER 14--ADMINISTRATIVE PLANS
___ S.W.3d ___
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Opinion delivered October 16, 2003
Per Curiam. In our per curiam order dated July 3, 2003, In re: Administrative Order Number 14 - Administration Plans, we remanded several proposed administrative plans back to the applicable administrative judge for revision or clarification. These plans have been resubmitted, and the Court has reviewed them.
We approve the administrative plans, as amended upon resubmission, of the following judicial circuits: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th-W, and 21st. The 23rd Judicial Circuit requested to amend its approved plan, and the amended plan is approved.
In our earlier per curiam order, we asked the 6th and 12th Judicial Circuits to submit an explanation for the reasons why particular judges were hearing domestic relations and probate cases exclusively. We now approve the 6th Circuit's administrative plan for 2004 based upon the explanation related to the current building limitations and the construction that is to be undertaken in 2004. We also approve the seniority proposal submitted by the 6th Circuit. Similarly, we approve the 12th Circuit's amended plan for 2004 based on the current building limitations and the plan to promptly seek quorum-court funding for the modification of the old chancery courtroom for jury trials.
The plans submitted by the 7th and 13th Judicial Circuits need further clarification as to the manner in which cases will be randomly assigned. Although it is not necessary that cases be assigned by a computer, a "mechanical" method of some sort, such as marbles or chips, is required to insure the random distribution of cases. A method that is predictable and relies on the clerk's silence is not acceptable.
The Court also wants to take this opportunity to acknowledge the circuit judges who have assumed the position of administrative judge. Their names appear below. We express our appreciation for their willingness to assume these duties in addition to their regular caseload.
Circuit Administrative Judge
1 Hon. Bentley Story
2 Hon. David Burnett
3 Hon. Harold Erwin
4 Hon. Kim Smith
5 Hon. Dennis Sutterfield
6 Hon. Vann Smith
7 Hon. Phillip Shirron
8-N Hon. Jim Gunter
8-S Hon. Joe Griffin
9-W Hon. Ted Capeheart
10 Hon. Jerry Mazzanti
11-W Hon. Leon Jamison
12 Hon. Harry Foltz
13 Hon. Edward Jones
14 Hon. Roger Logan
15 Hon. Paul Danielson
16 Hon. Stephen Choate
17 Hon. Robert Edwards
18-E Hon. Tom Smitherman
19-W Hon. John Scott
20 Hon. Charles Clawson
21 Hon. Gary Cottrell
22 Hon. Gary Arnold
23 Hon. Lance Hanshaw