Title: William Dale Morrison v. State of Arkansas

State: arkansas

Issuer: Arkansas Supreme Court

Document:

SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS

No, CROB-572
WILLIAM DALE MORRISON, Opinion Delivered 6-508
APPELLANT, | MOTION FOR RULE ON CLERK
vs.
STATE OF ARKANSAS,

MOTION GRANTED.

APPELLE!

 

PER CURIAM

Appellant, William Dale Morrison, by and through his attomey, Thurman Ragar, Je,
has filed a motion for rule on clerk. The clerk of the supreme court and court of appeals
refused to docket this appeal or accept the record due to a failure to comply with Arkansas
Rll of Appellate Procedure ~ Civil 5(6)(1)().

In McDonald v, State, 356 Ark, 106, 146 S.W.34 883 (2004), this court clarified our
treatment of motions for belated appeals and motions for rule on clerk. We explained:

Where an appeal is not timely perfected, either the party or attomey filing the
appeal is at fault, or there is good reason that the appeal was not timely
perfected. ‘The party or attorney filing the appeal is therefore faced with two
‘options. First, where the party or attorney filing the appeal is at ful, faule
should be admitted by affidavit filed with the motion or in the motion itself
There is no advantage in declining to admit frult where fault exists. Second,
where the party or attorney believes there is good reason the appeal was not
perfected, then the case for good reason can be made in the motion, and this
court will decide if good reason is present.

 
an affidavit

 

Id, 146 S.W.3d at 891 (Ootnote omitted). While this court no longer req
admitting faule before we will consider the motion, an attorney should candidly admit fault
‘where he has erred and is responsible for the failure to perfect the appeal. See id

In accordance with McDonald v. Site, supra, Mr. Ragar has candidly admitted that it
‘was his responsbility to assure compliance with Rule 5(b)(1)(C) and that this was not done.
‘The motion is, therefore, granted. A copy of this opinion will be forwarded to the
Committee on Professional Conduct.

Motion granted.

‘CRO8-S72