Case Name: Michael D. BELL v. STATE of Arkansas
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Arkansas
Decision Date: 2007-04-05
Citations: 369 Ark. 343
Docket Number: CR 06-871
Parties: Michael D. BELL v. STATE of Arkansas
Judges: 
Reporter: Arkansas Reports
Volume: 369
Pages: 343–344

Head Matter:
Michael D. BELL v. STATE of Arkansas
CR 06-871
254 S.W.3d 725
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Opinion delivered April 5, 2007

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
Don Gillaspie was ordered to appear before this court to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failing to timely file a petition for writ of certiorari to bring up the record on behalf of his client, appellant Michael D. Bell, within fifteen days, as directed by this court. The procedural history of this matter is set out in two per curiam opinions. See Bell v. State, CR 06-871 (Ark. Feb. 22, 2007); Bell v. State, CR 06-871 (Ark. Jan. 18, 2007).
On March 8, 2007, Gillaspie appeared before this court, as ordered, and entered a plea of guilty to the contempt charge. Though not couched in terms-of mitigation, he stated that he did not recall receiving the court's directive about the petition for writ of certiorari. It also came to light during his appearance that Mr. Gillaspie has not paid his license fees to practice law to the clerk of this court. The deadline for doing so was March 1, 2007. Mr. Gillaspie assured this court on March 8, 2007, that he would pay his license fees on March 9, 2007, and file the required petition for writ of certiorari on the same date. As of this writing, Mr. Gillaspie has not paid his license fee, although he tendered a petition for writ of certiorari for filing with the clerk on March 21, 2007.
Based on the foregoing, we accept Mr. Gillaspie's guilty plea and find him in contempt of this court. We impose a fine of $500 to be paid within thirty days from the date of this order. A copy of this per curiam will be forwarded to our Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct to take any appropriate action that the Committee deems necessary.
It is so ordered.