Court Opinion

ID: 9779162
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 21:38:45.878053+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:33:22.508510
License: Public Domain

John I. Purtle, Justice, dissenting. I would grant prohibition because the appellant was found guilty without a trial on the first count and was tried in the other two cases before a “special judge” who was acting without authority because he had failed to take the oath of office. Since all three judgments are void the appellant was not required to appeal and can collaterally attack such judgments at any time. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The Sixth Amendment requires an impartial, speedy, and public trial and insures that the accused shall be confronted with the witness against him. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution makes the Fifth and Sixth Amendments applicable to the states. Both U.S. Const, art. 6, § 3 and Ark. Const, art. 19, § 20 demand that all judicial officers take an oath before beginning their duties. It is undisputed in the present case that the first judge did not give the appellant the benefit of a trial and that the “special judge” did not take the oath of office. The judgments consequently are void. Since the judgments are void we are bound by the decision of this court in Swagger v. State, 227 Ark. 45, 296 S.W.2d 204 (1956), where we stated: “But where, as here, the judgment is void because of the want of due process of law, it has no force and effect, and can be vacated at any time.” Having found no constitutional, statutory, or other valid authority permitting a court to convict a person without a trial, or permitting someone other than a judge to decide the case, I believe the appellant is merely claiming his right to due process. No person should be required to prevent enforcement of a void judgment against him. In the present case the appellant has been forced to defend himself against these void judgments. He should be granted permanent relief in the form of a writ of prohibition to prevent the lower court from enforcing the void judgments or, in the alternative, a writ of mandamus to vacate the void judgments.