Judge Jo Hart to seek re-election

Judge Josephine Linker Hart has announced plans to seek re-election as a Judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals for District Two. District Two is comprised of (18) counties including: Faulkner, Conway, Pope, Newton, Boone, Baxter, Searcy, Van Buren, Cleburne, Stone, Marion, Fulton, Izard, Independence, Jackson, Sharp, Randolph and Lawrence. Judge Hart was first elected to the Court of Appeals in 1998 and was reelected in 2002. Judges are elected without party affiliation and the non-partisan election for the Court of Appeals is May 18, 2010.

The Arkansas Court of Appeals is an appellate court that decides cases on appeal from circuit courts and the Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission. The decisions of the court are binding on lower courts and are of great importance to the citizens. This is often the court of last resort for many issues.

During Judge Hart's 11 years as judge on the Court of Appeals, she has written over 700 opinions and participated in deciding more than 3,000 cases. The majority of these decisions are available in The Arkansas Reports and online at Arkansas Court of Appeals.

In making her announcement for re-election Judge Hart said, "My years of training with the Supreme Court and years of experience on the Court of Appeals give me a unique insight into the impact that laws have on our daily lives. The decisions of the court become the law for future cases. My decades of experience and proven dedication to the law coupled with the demonstrated confidence that the people of north central Arkansas have historically shown me makes me the clear choice. I have been accountable and will continue earning your confidence."