Welcome to a brand new ballgame! The rules for Judicial Elections were changed significantly by Amendment 80, adopted in 2000, which restructured the Arkansas Court System. Judicial Elections this year have some first-ever, novel elements that deserve explanation. Here is what you need to know to elect Gordon Webb Circuit Judge on May 21, 2002:

1. Circuit Judges now run as Nonpartisan Candidates.
   
   
2. The Nonpartisan General Election for Circuit Judges will be at the same time, at the same polls, and on the same ballot as the Preferential Primary Elections for the Democrat and Republican Party Candidates. Upon request, Independent voters will be provided a separate ballot containing judicial candidates only.
   
   
3. There are 4 Circuit Judgeships in the 14th Judicial Circuit. They are designated Divisions 1,2,3, and 4. This year all 4 judgeships are up for election.
   
   
4. Election Day is Tuesday, May 21, 2002, with polls open from 7:30A.M. to 7:30P.M. You may vote early by going to your Courthouse beginning May 6, 2002. The deadline to register to vote in the May 21 election is April 21, 2002.
   
   

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A Record of Service In and Out of Court:
Respect, Expertise, and Justice for All

Service in the Court System:

• Prosecuting Attorney for 24 years representing citizens of Baxter, Boone, Marion, and Newton Counties in Criminal, Civil, Juvenile, Domestic Relations, Probate, Quorum Courts, and Federal Courts
• Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Public Defender
• Governor's Appointee, Chairman, Arkansas Sentencing Commission
• Supreme Court Appointee, Supreme Court Rules Committee
• Director, Drug Task Force, 14th Judicial Circuit
• State President, Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association
• President, North-Central Peace Officers Association
• President, Boone-Newton Peace Officers Association
• President Boone-Newton Bar Association
• District Delegate, Arkansas Bar Association House of Delegates
• Certified Law Enforcement Instructor
• Administrator of Public Funds, Budgets, and Grants
• Established Multi-Disciplinary Teams for Child Abuse, Child Support Enforcement Unit, Victim-Witness Assistance Service, Hot Check Program, and Drug Task Force

Service for Country, Community, Church:

• Veteran, United States Navy - 4 Years - 1969-73
• Instructor, North Arkansas College
• American Red Cross, Secretary, Boone County Chapter
• American Heart Association, Coordinator
• Harrison Rotary Club, Board of Directors
• Boy Scout and Cub Scout Leader
• Youth Coach - Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer
• Sunday School Teacher and Church Vestry Member
• Married 33 Years with 2 Children

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New Laws Govern Circuit Judgeships

This year for the first time, the election of Circuit Judges will be conducted under new and unprecedented procedures pursuant to Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution adopted in 2000. Amendment 80 established a new judicial article that provides for the nonpartisan election of judges who will no longer run as candidates of any political party. The nonpartisan judicial elections are "general elections," but the Arkansas Legislature decided that they would be held on the same date, at the same polls, and on the same ballots as the preferential primary elections of the political parties. This means that when a voter goes to the traditional Democrat or Republican Preferential Primary, he or she will find on the ballot not only the party's primary candidates, but also the nonpartisan judicial candidates. An independent voter may request a separate ballot that contains only the names of the nonpartisan judicial candidates.

Amendment 80 further changed the jurisdiction of Circuit Courts by merging Arkansas's courts of law and equity. There are no longer separate Circuit, Chancery, Probate, and Juvenile Courts. They are now unified under the Circuit Court which is divided into subject matter divisions of criminal , civil, probate, juvenile, and domestic relations. All Circuit Court Judges have jurisdiction to hear cases in any of the divisions. The distribution of cases among the Circuit Judges is determined by a written plan they design to accommodate the particular needs of the Circuit and which is submitted to the Supreme Court for approval; the plan may be modified after every judicial election.

The 14th Judicial Circuit which includes Baxter, Boone, Marion, and Newton Counties has 4 Circuit Judgeships. They are designated as Divisions 1,2,3,and 4. These division numbers are for administrative purposes only, and do not in any way correspond to the subject matter divisions of the Circuit Court as set out above. They could just as well be referred to as "Positions 1,2,3,and 4". A Circuit Judge in any "Division" number has jurisdiction to hear all cases in all subject matter divisions (criminal, civil, probate, juvenile, and domestic relations) of the Circuit Court.

GORDON WEBB is a candidate for Circuit Judge, Division 4. Election Day is Tuesday, May 21, 2002. The polls are open from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. A citizen may participate in "early voting" by casting a ballot at the County Courthouse beginning May 6, 2002. To be eligible to vote in the May 21 election, a citizen must register in the County Clerk's Office not later than May 21, 2002.

Gordon Webb's Service in the Court System

Prosecuting Attorney for 24 Years:
In announcing his candidacy for Circuit Judge, Webb stated, "It has been the highest privilege to represent the citizens of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit in so many courts and legal matters over the past 24 years. The repeated faith the people placed in me provided an unequaled opportunity to develop the experience and expertise that have prepared me to serve as Circuit Judge. The people invested in my preparation, and I am ready to produce the quality return they deserve on that investment by being a Circuit Judge who acts with integrity, impartiality, and respect for all who come before the Court."

Trained "on the front lines" and "in the trenches":
Through 24 years of unremitting hard work on an enormous volume of cases, Webb has developed the outstanding legal skills, expertise, and wisdom required of a Circuit Judge. As Prosecuting Attorney, Webb has processed some 20,000 felony cases in Circuit Court in addition to hundreds of thousands of cases in the Municipal Courts (now District Courts) of the four counties in this Circuit. Webb has tried several hundred jury trials, more than any other attorney in the Circuit. He has handled and supervised thousands of Juvenile Court cases, hundreds of Probate mental commitments, and scores of County Government issues while working closely with the County Judges and Quorum Courts in all four counties. He has represented local law enforcement agencies in the United States District Court, and has argued on their behalf before the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. Webb is well prepared and eager to serve on the bench. As Circuit Judge, Webb will bring his varied and extensive legal experience to bear in carrying forth the faithful and impartial performance of his duties.

Initiated Programs to Address Problems:
Webb has a record of establishing successful on-going programs to address specific problem areas such as those set forth below. As Circuit Judge, Webb will bring to the bench the same kind of innovative ideas and can-do determination to solve problems so that the judicial system will operate most efficiently and effectively for everyone involved.

• The Hot Check Program serves both businesses and individuals by recovering about $750,000.00 annually in checks written on accounts with insufficient funds.
  
  
• The Drug Task Force unifies the efforts of the state police, sheriff's offices, and local law enforcement agencies across the district in the fight against illicit drugs. It was recognized statewide by Governor Mike Huckabee in a special awards ceremony as a model for other jurisdictions.
  
  
• The Multi-Disciplinary Teams on Child Abuse bring together personnel from various agencies that deal directly with child abuse cases to evaluate and discuss them in order to ensure coordination of services to the children and families that are victims of child abuse. The teams meet regularly and include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, DHS caseworkers, school counselors, Ozark Counseling Service, and child health personnel.
  
  
• The Victim-Witness Assistance Program helps to ease victims and witnesses through their encounter with the criminal justice system which can seem complex and confusing. This program has proved particularly effective in child sexual abuse cases.
  
  

Administrator of Public Funds:
In administering the office of Prosecuting Attorney for 4 counties and developing programs in the public interest, Webb has acquired extensive experience with the management and regulation of public funds, budgets, and grants. As Circuit Judge, Webb will utilize his abilities in this area to benefit the administration of justice in the most cost efficient ways.

Arkansas Sentencing Commission:
As Chairman of the Arkansas Sentencing Commission, Webb has led efforts to equalize judicial sentencing of defendants across the state. His goal has been to develop fair standards for sentencing that would guide the State's Circuit Judges, and would ensure that the most serious crimes and most serious criminals receive the longest sentences. The Commission has worked to develop a database on the sentencing practices of the Judiciary so that it could predict the long-term needs of the prison system for bed space. With that information, responsible fiscal planning could result in reducing prison overcrowding. The Sentencing Commission advises the General Assembly about the impact on prison population that a given piece of legislation may have.

The Arkansas Sentencing Commission was established in 1993 by the Legislature, and Webb was one of the original appointees by the Governor. He was re-appointed and named to the chairmanship by Governor Huckabee. The Sentencing Commission consists of courtroom practitioners (3 judges, 2 prosecutors, 2 public defenders) and 2 non-lawyer citizens who seek to guarantee fair sentencing practices throughout the State of Arkansas.

Arkansas Supreme Court Rules Committee:
Webb has served two terms on a committee appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to advise the Court on the Rules of Procedure that govern all criminal cases. The committee consists of professionals that include judges, lawyers, and Court-related personnel who review the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure and recommend changes to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court relies on these recommendations when it exercises its authority to dictate the Rules of Procedure that shall be applied in all Arkansas cases.

Leadership in the Profession:
Webb has assumed multiple positions of professional leadership. He has served as State President of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association and as a member of its board and as a regional Delegate to the Arkansas Bar Association's governing body. In more local activities, Webb has been President of two Peace Officer Associations as well as President of the Boone-Newton Bar Association. In all of his posts, Webb has promoted unity and cooperation to achieve common objectives. A case in point occurred when Webb, on behalf of the 14th Judicial Circuit, presented the case for a fourth Judgeship in this Circuit to the Judicial Resources Assessment Committee which is the official State forum that recommends new judicial positions. In successfully obtaining the necessary recommendation, Webb initiated the process by which a new judge was added in order to reduce the caseloads and subsequent time delays in each Court in the 14th Judicial Circuit.

Teaching to the Profession:
Webb is frequently called upon to share his experience and expertise by teaching the professionals with whom he works. As a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, he has taught many hours of the courses that are required for law enforcement personnel to earn their credentials. Webb served as a lecturer in the Criminal Justice Program at North Arkansas College. For two years, Webb taught a paralegal course at the College. He has traveled the State teaching lawyers and judges about the Arkansas Sentencing Guidelines. Webb has lectured new prosecutors on a variety of subjects including how to set up and operate their offices. He is regularly requested to train victim advocates and case workers about legal issues concerning child abuse and domestic violence.

Gordon Webb's Service to Country, Community, Church

Webb strongly believes in serving others in order to "give back," making an effort to maintain and improve the country and community in which we are fortunate to live. After college, at the peak of the Vietnam War when others were avoiding the military, Webb volunteered for the U.S. Navy as his father had before him. Webb served two tours of duty as a naval officer. The first was aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV60), on which he made two overseas deployments. In the second, he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone with the Southern Command where his Spanish language skills were utilized as he traveled with the Admiral who coordinated U.S. military aid to Latin American Navies.

Similarly, Webb has volunteered his time with the American Red Cross where he served as chapter secretary; the American Heart Association where he was local fund coordinator for years; the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts where he was a leader; and the Harrison Rotary Club where he was a director.

Webb has coached youth teams for many seasons in baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, and soccer. He has taught Sunday School, and served on the vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church.

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Gordon Webb's Personal Background

Webb was educated at the Webb School of California, a college preparatory school founded by his grandfather in 1922. Webb graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1969, and received the Degree of Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1976.

Webb grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where his father was a professor and Director of the University of Wisconsin Press. Webb has two great-grandfathers, one from each his father's and mother's families, who served as United States Senators from the State of Tenneesee.

Webb has been married for 33 years to Kandy Gregg Webb, a practicing attorney. She grew up in Harrison, the daughter of Harrison's late Mayor Bill and Virginia Hudson Gregg. She graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and received the Degree of Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School in 1976. Thereafter, she served as law clerk for the Honorable J. Smith Henley, Circuit Judge, United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and has been in private practice for 24 years.

The Webbs have two children, Gregg, age 21, a junior at Princeton University, and Elizabeth, age 17, a senior at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts.

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How to Contact Gordon Webb

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Helpful Links

State of Arkansas
Arkansas Judiciary
Arkansas Attorney General
Arkansas Secretary of State
Arkansas Sentencing Commission
Arkansas Bar Association

Webb's Record | Judicial Elections | Webb's Background | Contact Webb | Helpful Links

Gordon Webb
P.O. Box 2447
Harrison AR 72602

(879)741-2711
gordonwebb@alltel.net

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