Case Name: James F. VALLEY v. The Honorable L.T. SIMES, II, Circuit Judge; Phillips County Circuit Court; Phillips County Election Commission (PCEC); Joann Smith, Chair of the PCEC; Linda White, Phillips County Clerk; Jessee L. Smith, III (Candidate)
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Arkansas
Decision Date: 2003-10-17
Citations: 354 Ark. 482
Docket Number: 03-1137
Parties: James F. VALLEY v. The Honorable L.T. SIMES, II, Circuit Judge; Phillips County Circuit Court; Phillips County Election Commission (PCEC); Joann Smith, Chair of the PCEC; Linda White, Phillips County Clerk; Jessee L. Smith, III (Candidate)
Judges: 
Reporter: Arkansas Reports
Volume: 354
Pages: 482–483

Head Matter:
James F. VALLEY v. The Honorable L.T. SIMES, II, Circuit Judge; Phillips County Circuit Court; Phillips County Election Commission (PCEC); Joann Smith, Chair of the PCEC; Linda White, Phillips County Clerk; Jessee L. Smith, III (Candidate)
03-1137
123 S.W.3d 910
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Opinion delivered October 17, 2003
Petitioner, pro se.
Mike Beebe, Att’y Gen., by: Timothy G. Gauger, Ass’t Att’y Gen., for respondent L.T. Simes, II.
L. Ashley Higgins, P.A., by: L. Ashley Higgins, for respondents, Phillips County Circuit Court, Joann Smith, and Linda White.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The court stays the lower court from proceeding further in this election contest case until this court can consider Mr. James F. Valley's interlocutory appeal regarding the trial judge's ruling on the disqualification of attorney Charles Halbert from representing Mr. Valley. We also grant the requests of Mr. Valley, the Phillips County Election Commission, and the Phillips County Circuit Clerk to expedite this appeal. If Mr. Halbert is determined by this court to have been improperly disqualified, other issues clearly will arise regarding the efficacy of any proceedings that took place after his disqualification. A writ of certiorari is issued, directing the court reporter and the clerk to complete the record required for the disposition of Mr. Valley's appeal.