§ 16-13-1403 — Judges and chancellors

(a) The qualified electors of the Sixth Judicial District shall elect: (1) Six (6) circuit judges; (2) Four (4) chancellors; (3) One (1) circuit-chancery judge; and (4) Two (2) circuit-chancery judgeships. (b) (1) In the Sixth Judicial District, there is created one (1) additional circuit judgeship and two (2) additional chancery judgeships. (2) The circuit judges and chancery judges subject to this subsection may, by agreement, hold either of the circuit or chancery courts and may hear and try matters pending in any of those courts or may hear or try matters in the same court at the same time. The judges subject to this subsection may adopt such rules as they deem appropriate for the assignment of cases in the circuit and chancery courts of their judicial district. (c) (1) Each judge of the judgeship created by subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall be the judge of the juvenile division of chancery court. The judge shall serve as judge of the juvenile division in lieu of the judge who would otherwise be designated as judge of the juvenile division of chancery court in the judicial district. (2) Further, the chancery judges of the Sixth Judicial District may designate by agreement not more than two (2) of the chancery judges who shall serve as judges of the juvenile division of chancery court in addition to the circuit-chancery judgeship created in subdivision (a)(3) of this section. (3) The judge of the additional circuit-chancery judgeship created in subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall devote such time as may be required to perform the duties of judge of the juvenile division, which duties shall be the primary obligation of the judge, and shall sit as judge of the circuit, chancery, or probate court as time permits. (4) Of the judgeships created by subdivision (a)(4) of this section within the Sixth Judicial District, the chancery judges of the Sixth Judicial District may designate by agreement one (1) of the Sixth Judicial District circuit-chancery judges whose primary responsibility shall include conducting hearings for the involuntary admission or commitment of persons to the Arkansas State Hospital or any other public or private hospital with a fully trained psychiatrist on the active or consultant staff and may designate by agreement one (1) of the Sixth Judicial District circuit-chancery judges whose primary responsibility shall be to perform the duties of a judge of the juvenile division of chancery court. Each of these judges shall sit as judge of the circuit, chancery, or probate courts as time permits. (d) (1) There is hereby created in the Sixth Judicial District an additional circuit-chancery judgeship, which shall have jurisdiction in law, equity, and probate. (2) The judge of the additional circuit-chancery judgeship created in subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall devote such time as may be required to perform the duties of judge of the juvenile division, which duties shall be the primary obligation of the judge, and shall sit as judge of the circuit, chancery, or probate court as time permits.

Legislative History

Acts 1977, No. 432, § 1; 1981 (Ex. Sess.), No. 38, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 22-365, 22-373; Acts 1987, No. 846, §§ 1, 3; 1989, No. 949, § 1; 1989 (3rd Ex. Sess.), No. 28, § 1; 1993, No. 283, § 1.