Court Opinion

ID: 9656658
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 19:54:23.12746+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:34.168383
License: Public Domain

Glaze, Justice, concurring. Upon remand, should the court conclude that the prior convictions are admissible pursuant to Ark. R. Evid. 403, it would be necessary to bifurcate the punitive-damages phase of the trial pursuant to Ark. R. Civ. P. 42(b) (2007). Rule 42(b) states: (b) Separate Trials. The court, in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition and economy, may order a separate trial of any claim, cross-claims, counterclaim, or third-party claim, or of any separate issue or any number of claims, cross-claims counterclaims, third-party claims, or issues. The purpose of this rule is to further convenience, avoid delay and prejudice, and serve the needs of justice, and the primary concern is efficient judicial administration, rather than the wishes of the parties, as long as no party suffers prejudice by the bifurcation. See Hunter v. McDaniel Constr. Co., 274 Ark. 178, 623 S.W.2d 196 (1981). Bifurcating the punitive-damages phase would eliminate the circuit court’s stated prejudice concern, and it would ensure fairness to both parties.