Cara Connors
Education: J.D. from University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law; Bachelor’s, Hendrix College
Prior Elected Office or Public Service: Former Pulaski County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, former AR Parole Board Revocation Hearing Judge
Community Service: Pulaski County Planning Board Commission, Pulaski County Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Greater Little Rock Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Chi Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Audit Committee Chair and Chapter Legal Counsel), W. Harold Flowers Law Society (Parliamentarian)
Many Arkansans appear in court without a lawyer, particularly in landlord/tenant cases, divorce cases, and issues involving family law. In Rule 2.2 of the Judicial Code of Conduct, the Arkansas Supreme Court lists ways judges can promote access to justice by self-represented (pro se) litigants. Do you have any ideas about how you would promote access to justice and be “reasonably flexible” with litigants who don't have a lawyer? The Judicial Code of Conduct Rule 2.2 outlines many examples of how a judge can promote access to justice by pro se litigants that I would absolutely implement and perpetuate, such as making legal concepts easy to understand and/or allowing pro se litigants additional time to prepare their case when appropriate. My idea would be to building upon this existing premise by hosting public forums which allow the public opportunities to learn generally about the court system, the fundamental rules that govern certain areas of law, and the frequent issues litigated that may arise in court. Being accessible to the public would change the perception many may have of judges and other actors within the court system.
Judges are Constitutionally required to conduct ability to pay hearings before imposing a jail sentence. (Bearden v. Georgia). How would you make sure these hearings are held, given that it can take time on crowded dockets to go over financial information with litigants? Would you use a bench card or other forms to help make sure litigants are only going to jail if Constitutionally eligible for incarceration for failure to pay fines? Although the administration of justice warrants swift dispositions, justice is not served if individuals are not provided adequate opportunity to provide the necessary information to ensure one's rights are protected, a waiver of fines, and/or an appointment of counsel when appropriate. As your next judge, if and when certain cases warrant a hearing regarding ability to pay, I will provide affidavits for ability to pay to be completed in advance of any hearing where incarceration for failure to pay fines is a possible disposition. Allowing the individual the opportunity to submit an affidavit regarding their financial means ensures their ability to pay is properly considered before rendering a decision on a litigant's liberties.
Rule 3.2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct permits limited examples of when a judge can appear in front of or consult with the Legislature or Executive branch. Are there any legal policy matters that are important to you that would get you to consult or appear in the legislature? What about reforming the use of driver's license suspension for certain crimes? Rule 3.2 indicates a judge shall not appear voluntarily at a public hearing before, or otherwise consult with, an executive or a legislative body or official, except: A) in connection with matters concerning the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice; B) in connection with matters about which the judge acquired knowledge or expertise in the course of the judge’s judicial duties; or C) when the judge is acting pro se in a matter involving the judge’s legal or economic interests, or when the judge is acting in a fiduciary capacity. However, there are many legal policies that are near and dear to me as an individual, such as driver's license suspension in every controlled substance conviction, but according to the rules it is only appropriate to appear before a legislative body when it directly impacts the administration of justice and/or judicial duties. Specifically, I would encourage the legislature to require cultural context training for all judges upon election.
Crime is always an issue in our society. What, if any, do you believe is the appropriate role for the judiciary in addressing a perceived crisis in crime? The judiciary's role is to ensure that laws are properly interpreted and applied when presented. If I am elected as the next 12th Division Circuit Court judge and my court is assigned a criminal docket, I believe I would be responsible for imposing balanced sentencing that ensures and considers the nature and circumstances of the offense, the history and characteristics of the defendant, the need for the sentence imposed to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense.
In the past several years, it's been difficult to fill jury pools. To expand jury pools in Arkansas, they have been opened to include motor registration. Do you think there should be more of an effort to include additional populations, for example, to include folks such as those who were convicted, but have now had their rights restored? Why or why not? In order to ensure a jury pool is all inclusive and a fair reflection of the parties' cross-section of the community, additional consideration of individuals with criminal convictions who have finished their sentence although not sealed should absolutely be considered. Individuals with firsthand experience in the justice system typically bring a unique perspective having potentially, specifically those who have served and satisfied their obligations to their sentence. In my opinion, those individuals should no be excluded from the jury selection process.