Opinion ID: 1690821
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Denial of Bail Pending Appeal

Text: Walley's final point on appeal is that the circuit court erred in denying bail pending appeal because the judge concluded that the appeal did not raise a substantial question of law or fact. We do not address the issues raised by Walley in this point because it is moot, and even if it were not, he waived his opportunity to ask us to review the denial of bail by not raising the issue through a writ of certiorari. A circuit court is prohibited from issuing a bond pending appeal unless the court finds: (A) By clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is not likely to flee or that there is no substantial risk that the defendant will commit a serious crime, intimidate witnesses, harass or take retaliatory action against any juror, or otherwise interfere with the administration of justice or pose a danger to the safety of any other person; and (B) That the appeal is not for the purpose of delay and that it raises a substantial question of law or fact. Ark. R.App. P.-Crim. 6(b) (2002); Ark. Code Ann. § 16-91-110(b) (Supp.2001). Furthermore, the direct appeal of a verdict is not the appropriate vehicle through which a defendant may challenge a denial of appeal bond. Rather [w]rits of certiorari have been labeled the appropriate vehicle for relief in bail proceedings. Larimore v. State, 339 Ark. 167, 170, 3 S.W.3d 680, 682 (1999) (citations omitted); see also State v. Pulaski County Circuit Court, 326 Ark. 886, 934 S.W.2d 915 (1996); Casement v. State, 318 Ark. 225, 884 S.W.2d 593 (1994); Duncan v. State, 308 Ark. 205, 823 S.W.2d 886 (1992) (citing Thomas v. State, 260 Ark. 512, 542 S.W.2d 284 (1976)); Perry v. State, 275 Ark. 170, 628 S.W.2d 304 (1982). First, any ruling by us on this issue would not afford any relief to Walley. A case is moot when any decision rendered by this court will have no practical legal effect on an existing legal controversy. K.S. v. State, 343 Ark. 59, 31 S.W.3d 849 (2000). By affirming the circuit court, Walley's issue of bail pending appeal has become moot. We do not decide moot issues. Shields v. State, 348 Ark. 7, 17, 70 S.W.3d 392, 397 (2002); see also See Logan v. State, 299 Ark. 550, 776 S.W.2d 327 (1989) (holding that revocation of an appeal bond was moot where this court affirmed appellant's conviction). The appropriate and meaningful action that Walley could have taken would have been to petition this court for a writ of certiorari separately challenging the circuit court's denial of an appeal bond. Walley did not take this action and has waived the issue of a denial of appeal bond on direct appeal of the verdict. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the circuit court did not err in its rulings challenged on appeal, and that substantial evidence supports the convictions of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture. We, therefore, affirm the circuit court on all points. Affirm.