Prosecutor Coordinator News Today

An Arkansas legislative panel will begin its study of firearms and concealed-carry laws by reviewing federal gun laws in November, state hunting laws in December, and state concealed-carry laws and regulations in January.

State lawmakers are calling for an investigation into a bitter petition campaign over a proposed Pope County casino that has led to accusations of threats, intimidation and arson in what one lawmaker said has made direct democracy in Arkansas seem like "a complete cluster expletive."

A Senate panel on Monday advanced a bill for the second time that would create criminal penalties for knowingly entering and remaining in a bathroom of the opposite sex while a minor is present.

Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, has repaid $7,327.33 in salary that he was paid as a part-time public defender to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, state records show.

Arkansas Senator Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, asks the Mayor of Bonanza questions about a shortage of funds caused by his daughter allegedly embezzling over $200,000 during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Stephen Swofford)

Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, has repaid $7,327.33 in salary that he was paid as a part-time public defender to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, state records show.

Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, has repaid $7,327.33 in salary that he was paid as a part-time public defender to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, state records show.

"The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers!"

A state effort to bolster the ranks of public defenders and prosecutors has offered little relief to Pulaski County courts burdened by backlogs of felony cases, according to a circuit court judge.

A special prosecutor has been assigned to the case of Joshua Luman, a former Union County sheriffs office investigator who resigned in July, according to the sheriff’s office, after being arrested in June.