Prosecutor Challenges Judge-Elect's Fitness to Serve Following Misdemeanor Plea Deal - NEA Report

Prosecutor Challenges Judge-Elect’s Fitness to Serve Following Misdemeanor Plea Deal – NEA Report

Posted by Admin October 5, 2024 Fitness

JONESBORO, Ark. — The Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney has voiced her concerns about Doug Brimhall being sworn in as Circuit Judge following the criminal case against him that was pleaded down to a misdemeanor last month

In a letter dated October 4, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, Prosecutor Sonia F. Hagood said she has no confidence that Brimhall can provide the judicial district with even the appearance of being a fair and impartial judge.

Given Mr. Brimhall’s criminal conduct and his actions since May 3, 2024, I have no confidence he can provide the citizens of this judicial district even the appearance of a fair and impartial judge.

– Prosecutor Sonia F. Hagood

The two-page letter is the first document revealing more about the prosecutor’s thoughts on the arrest of Brimhall. At the time of the incident he was investigated for, May 3, Brimhall was a deputy prosecuting attorney under Hagood. In her letter, Hagood wrote it was to her great relief that Brimhall resigned from her office almost immediately.

Brimhall resolved his pending felony charges on Sept. 19 with a misdemeanor plea deal, according to a release from his legal team. He received a 12-month suspended imposition of sentence, fines, fees, anger management classes, and community service.

Advertisement

However, Brimhall has insisted on his plans to become a Circuit Judge. In a press release issued on the same day Brimhall pleaded to a misdemeanor charge, his attorney Bill Stanley wrote that Brimhall “looks forward to taking the bench and fulfilling his obligations and responsibilities that this community elected him to fulfill.”

The prosecutor’s October 4 letter responded directly to that, stating that she felt a “profound responsibility to advocate for the victims we represent and uphold the integrity of the judicial system.”

“The victims we serve, as well as the defendants we prosecute, deserve a fair and impartial judiciary,” Hagood said in her letter to Judge Pam Honeycutt, the administrative judge for the Second Judicial District. “Mr. Brimhall’s conduct raises significant concerns regarding his ability to fulfill these expectations. I presume there are complaints filed with the Judicial Discipline and Disability Committee (JDDC), as well as with the Office of Professional Conduct. However, we currently lack clarity on any potential disciplinary actions or restrictions he may face.”

The JDDC has confirmed it is investigating at least one complaint against Brimhall related to his arrest. Hagood’s letter is cc’d to the executive director of JDDC, Emily Abbott, among others.

Advertisement

“If the Court intends to revisit the judicial plan, we respectfully request that Mr. Brimhall be excluded from presiding over any cases involving the 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office,” Hagood said. “The 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s office intends to file a motion to recuse in all cases that may come before Mr. Brimhall.”

Hagood’s letter said in her opinion, staying silent on the issue is being complicit in his conduct. She asks the court to consider the impact of Brimhall’s actions on the entire district.