August 13, 2019
Contact:
Karen Steward
Office: 501-410-1935
Cell: 501-529-2357
karen.steward@arcourts.gov
ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT TO HOLD FIRST ORAL ARGUMENT OF FALL TERM IN NEWLY-RESTORED OLD SUPREME COURT CHAMBER AT CAPITOL
The Supreme Court of Arkansas will hold its first oral argument of the 2019 fall term in the newlyrestored Old Supreme Court Chamber at the state Capitol on Thursday, September 5, at 10 a.m.
The Arkansas Supreme Court traditionally hears the first oral argument of each term in the Old Supreme Court Chamber.
The court will hear case CR-18-700, Stacey Eugene Johnson v. State of Arkansas. The proceeding, like any oral argument heard by the Arkansas Supreme Court, is open to the public.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
The Court met in what is known today as the Old State House Museum until 1863, when it temporarily moved to Washington in Hempstead County as a result of the Civil War. It returned to the Old State House at the end of 1864.
In 1912, the Court moved to the Arkansas Capitol. The courtroom was sparse until 1915, when more ornate finishings were added. The courtroom changed in appearance several times over the coming decades. The recent renovation is meant to restore the room to its original 1915 appearance.
In 1958, the Court moved to the Justice Building at 625 Marshall Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1976, as part of an expansion of the Justice Building, a circular glass structure housing a new courtroom was created. This courtroom is still used by the state Supreme Court today.
ABOUT THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT
The Arkansas Supreme Court is made up of seven justices, including a Chief Justice, who are all elected in statewide, non-partisan races and serve eight-year terms.
Justices on the Arkansas Supreme Court come from all areas of the state: Mountain View, Conway, Fayetteville, Fordyce, Mountain Home, and Clinton.
Arkansas is one of eleven states with a female majority on its high court, according to data kept by the National Center for State Courts.