The Arkansas Supreme Court says judicial candidates whose licenses were suspended for late payment of annual dues are eligible for the ballot.
State law requires that someone be a licensed attorney for six years before becoming eligible for a judgeship. In a series of rulings Wednesday, the high court said that a temporary suspension for late payment of dues isn't enough to disqualify a candidate from the ballot.
Lawsuits were filed challenging the eligibility of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox, Faulkner County Circuit Judge H.G. Foster and judicial candidate Angela Byrd. In the rulings, the court found that all three candidates remained licensed attorneys during the delinquent-fee period because their licenses weren't terminated.
In a dissent, Justice Donald Corbin says the license suspensions should have disqualified the candidates.
