Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Doug Martin
Doug Martin is the Division 2 judge of the Fourth Circuit in Arkansas. He was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to a term that began on January 1, 2013. He announced his intention to run for re-election on July 17, 2013. He ran for and won re-election to the Fourth Circuit on May 20, 2014, for a term effective January 1, 2015, and expiring in 2020. The election was for the Division 1 judgeship.[1][2][3][4]
Elections
2014
See also: Arkansas judicial elections, 2014
Martin ran for re-election to the Fourth Circuit.
General: He defeated Brian Lester in the general election on May 20, 2014, receiving 68.8 percent of the vote.
[3][4]
Education
Martin attended the University of Arkansas for his undergraduate degree and the University of Arkansas School of Law for his J.D.[5]
Career
Prior to his appointment to the Fourth Circuit in 2012, Martin served as a judge for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and before that as a judge for Division 5 of the Fourth Circuit Court. In 2011, Martin was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to the Arkansas Court of Appeals to a term that expired on December 31, 2012.[6] [7]
Noteworthy events
Martin censured for comments made during campaign
On November 21, 2014, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission issued a letter of censure to Martin for violating the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct while campaigning for judicial office in the 2014 election.[8]
Specifically, Martin was cited for "statements that were improperly prejudicial and harassing against his opponent (Brian Lester) and his opponent's supporters." On several occasions, Martin "spoke publically [sic] about his disdain for his opponent" and "confronted members of the community regarding their association with his opponent." The commission found that Martin's comments and behavior "went beyond normal election rhetoric and gave the appearance of coercion whether intended or not."[9]
A letter of censure issued by the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission acts as a formal sanction for violation of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct. The censure, which does not require that the judge be removed or suspended, also "serves as a public warning for other judges."[9]
Martin recuses himself from Supreme Court justice's case
On May 16, 2018, Martin recused himself from a case against Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson Goodson, following questions of conflict of interest. Martin reported that his wife received income in 2017 from the law firm of Goodson's husband. He issued a recusal letter at the request of Goodson's legal team.
The lawsuit involved Goodson, who was running for re-election in the general election on May 22, 2018, and the Judicial Crisis Network. Goodson sued the Judicial Crisis Network for airing allegedly false and defamatory ads. On May 14, Martin issued a temporary restraining order blocking the ads.[10][11]
See also
External links
- Arkansas Judiciary, "Circuit Courts"
- Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate information: 2014 preferential primary elections & non partisan general election," accessed April 7, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ Picayune-Times, "Beebe announces appointments," November 30, 2012
- ↑ Doug Martin campaign website, "Judge Doug Martin announces candidacy," July 17, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Doug Martin," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Arkansas Secretary of State, "2014 Arkansas Preferential Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Election," updated May 27, 2014
- ↑ VoteDougMartin.com, "Home," accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ Governor Mike Beebe, "Governor Beebe announces PSC appointment, four judicial appointments," January 7, 2011
- ↑ Arkansas Judiciary, "Circuit Judges," accessed May 24, 2014
- ↑ Arkansas News, "Judge censured over conduct during campaign," November 21, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, "Judge Doug Martin (Letter of Censure), (Press Release)," November 21, 2014
- ↑ The State, "Arkansas judge who blocked TV ads removing himself from case," May 16, 2018
- ↑ Arkansas Online, "Arkansas judge who blocked TV ads removes himself from Supreme Court justice's case," May 16, 2018
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
