Judiciary
Judge calls portrait of ex-colleague ‘celebration of corruption,’ orders disciplinary press release displayed beneath
A new courthouse portrait of an Arkansas judge who resigned amid a disciplinary investigation won’t be hanging without a footnote of sorts, according to an order by Judge Stephen Shirron, the administrative judge of the state’s Seventh Judicial Circuit. (Image from Shutterstock)
A new courthouse portrait of an Arkansas judge who resigned amid a disciplinary investigation won’t be hanging without a footnote of sorts, according to an order by Judge Stephen Shirron, the administrative judge of the state’s Seventh Judicial Circuit.
A framed copy of the Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission press release announcing the resignation of Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Chris Williams must hang below his portrait during all court proceedings, Shirron said in his Oct. 27 administrative order. The March 2024 press release said the resignation serves as Williams’ removal from office, and he is no longer allowed to serve in the judiciary or public office in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Times and the Malvern Daily Record have coverage of Shirron’s order.
“This is the first time in history that a judge in Hot Spring County has been removed from office for judicial misconduct,” Shirron wrote in his order. “It is such a rare occurrence that no other judge has been removed in the entire state since that date. Needless to say, this cast a long shadow over the judiciary and the local bar. It was my sincere hope we had moved past this dark chapter in our history.”
Shirron said he learned that Williams had a portrait of himself framed and planned to hang it in the Hot Spring County, Arkansas, courtroom on a date when judges were out of town for a judicial council meeting.
“This quietly orchestrated secret ceremony is vastly divergent from the historical practice of this district,” Shirron wrote.
The picture was hung Oct. 16, according to the Arkansas Times.
The press release will “make clear the irrefutable historical context,” Shirron said. “We cannot stand idly by and allow a celebration of corruption in our courtrooms without speaking up.”
Shirron did not explain his reference to corruption. Details of the disciplinary investigation against Williams were not made public.
Williams’ resignation letter had cited a negotiation with the disciplinary commission, as well as his health and “advancing age” as reasons for his retirement.
At least one person objected to the press release, according to the Malvern Daily Record. Williams’ brother, Justice of the Peace Ralph Williams, asked who placed the press release below the portrait during quorum court committee meetings last week. Justices of the peace in Arkansas represent a district of a county and are akin to county commissioners.
Ralph Williams removed the press release following the meeting after hearing no objections to his request to take it down.
The press release was back up before court proceedings Thursday, but it was taken down by that afternoon, according to the Malvern Daily Record.
The ABA Journal placed a call for comment to a number for Judge Williams found online, but there was no answer.
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