Chris Piazza
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Chris Piazza is the Division 2 judge of the Sixth Circuit in Arkansas. He was elected to the position in 1990. He was re-elected to the Sixth Circuit on May 20, 2014 for a term expiring in 2020.[1][2][3][4]
Elections
2014
See also: Arkansas judicial elections, 2014
Piazza ran for re-election to the Sixth Circuit.
General: He won without opposition in the general election on May 20, 2014.
[3][4]
Career
- 1990-2020: Judge, Sixth Circuit
- 1985-1990: Prosecuting attorney, Sixth Circuit
- 1974: Admitted to the Arkansas Bar[2][5][6]
Awards and associations
Noteworthy cases
Judge Piazza overturns unmarried couple adoption ban
On Friday, April 16, 2010, Judge Piazza determined that 2008's Initiative 1, the Ban on Unmarried Couples Adopting, infringed on the right of privacy and overturned it.
In his decision, Piazza wrote,
| “ | Due process and equal protection are not hollow words without substance. They are rights enumerated in our constitution that must not be construed in such a way as to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.[9] | ” |
| —Chris Piazza[10] | ||
Supporters of Initiative 1 vowed to appeal the decision to the Arkansas Supreme Court.[10]
Judge Piazza overturns same-sex marriage ban
On May 9, 2014, Judge Piazza ruled that the 2004 amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that banned marriage between same-sex couples was "an unconstitutional attempt to narrow the definition of equality." In his ruling, Judge Piazza also overturned a 1997 Arkansas law that banned same-sex marriage. Despite the ruling, Judge Piazza did not issue a stay on the marriage ban, leaving it to the county clerks to decide whether or not to issue same-sex marriage licenses.[11]
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel plans to appeal Judge Piazza's decision. McDaniel, who has stated that he, himself, supports same-sex marriage and believes in marriage equality, will fulfill the duties of his office and defend his state's constitution.[12]
Piazza further stated in his opinion: “Our freedoms are often acquired slowly, but our country has evolved as a beacon of liberty in what is sometimes a dark world. These freedoms include a right to privacy. It is time to let that beacon of freedom shine brighter on all our brothers and sisters. We will be stronger for it.”[12]
See also
External links
- Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate information: 2014 preferential primary elections & non partisan general election," accessed April 7, 2014
- ABC News, "Two more Clinton judges decline to hear disbarment case," July 3, 2000
- Arkansas Blog, "Marriage equality lawsuit gets a different judge," September 3, 2013
Footnotes
- ↑ Arkansas Judiciary, "Circuit courts," accessed April 12, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Arkansas Online, "LR legal circle salutes careers of three judges," May 6, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Chris Piazza," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Arkansas Secretary of State, "2014 Arkansas Preferential Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Election," updated May 29, 2014
- ↑ Daniels, C. & Hughes, J. (2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press.
- ↑ Martindale.com, "Judge profile: Chris Piazza," accessed April 13, 2014
- ↑ Log Cabin Democrat, "Ethics Commission: Huckabee suit ploy to avoid probe of complaints," March 4, 1998
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "4th judge opts out of Clinton disbarment; 5th unsure," July 6, 2000
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Associated Press, "State judge overturns Ark. adoption ban law," April 16, 2010, archived April 13, 2014
- ↑ ABC News.com, "Arkansas Issues Same-Sex Marriage Licenses," May 10, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Examiner.com, "Judge Chris Piazza gay marriage: Controversial ruling ignites critics," May 9, 2014
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas
State courts:
Arkansas Supreme Court • Arkansas Court of Appeals • Arkansas Circuit Courts • Arkansas District Courts • Arkansas City Courts
State resources:
Courts in Arkansas • Arkansas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arkansas
