In Re Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission Cases

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: April 23, 2026
• Status: Published

Opinion

Cite as 2026 Ark. 86 SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS Opinion Delivered: April 23, 2026

IN RE JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE AND DISABILITY COMMISSION CASES

ORDER TO APPEAR AND SHOW CAUSE.

PER CURIAM

On December 11, 2025, we issued a per curiam opinion directing the Judicial

Discipline and Disability Commission (the Commission) to provide us with records

concerning its pending and recently closed investigations. In re Judicial Discipline and Disability

Commission Cases, 2025 Ark. 223, at 1–3. Specifically, the opinion “order[ed] the Executive

Director of the Commission to provide us with[,]” among other things, “a comprehensive

list of every complaint made to the Commission” since January 1, 2023. Id. at 2 (emphasis

added). These records were originally due no later than January 26, 2026. Despite receiving

three extensions, which doubled the time originally given to satisfy the request, the

Executive Director has still failed to fully comply with our order. Specifically, she has failed

to provide any records related to, or summaries of, pending and open investigations. We

note that no objection has been filed related to the order to provide these records, and no

relief has been granted that would excuse the failure to file them as ordered. Neither has

any explanation been provided to this court for the failure to comply with our order. Therefore, we order the Executive Director, Emily Abbott, to appear before this

court and show cause why she should not be held in contempt or otherwise sanctioned for

her refusal to comply with our December 11th order. A show-cause hearing will be held

in the Supreme Court courtroom on May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. If the Executive Director

wishes to file a written response in addition to her in-person appearance, the written

response is due no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 11, 2026. A written response, however,

does not relieve the Executive Director of the requirement that she appear at the show-

cause hearing. Failure to appear will result in a default finding of contempt and appropriate

sanctions being implemented.

It is so ordered.