Opinion ID: 1654637
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appeal by the State

Text: The State's opportunity to appeal is limited to that allowed by Ark. R.App. P.-Crim. 3. State v. Nichols, 364 Ark. 1, 216 S.W.3d 114 (2005). While a criminal defendant may appeal as a matter of right, the State may only appeal as allowed by Rule 3. Id. An appeal must concern an issue of law. Id. It must be narrow in scope. Id. If an appeal by the State includes mixed issues of law and fact, it will not be heard. Id. The appeal must establish significant precedent and be important to the correct and uniform administration of the criminal law. State v. Joslin, 364 Ark. 545, 222 S.W.3d 168 (2006). In this appeal, we are presented with an issue of law on the extension of time granted within which to prosecute violations of Ark.Code Ann. § 5-14-108. The issue concerns not only this case, but could affect many other cases under both statutes repealed in the 2001 legislative session, as well as statutes that may be repealed in future legislative sessions. This appeal concerns the correct and uniform administration of the criminal law and is properly before us.