In re Ark. R. App. P.--Crim. 19

Summary

The court adopted, effective immediately, Arkansas Rule of Appellate Procedure–Criminal 19, with minor edits, to govern convicted offenders’ requests for appellate briefs, records, and transcripts at public expense. The rule requires the offender first to request the materials from former counsel and, for photocopies, to show a compelling need; it also requires counsel to respond and provide documents already in counsel’s possession. The rule does not expand or reduce counsel’s separate professional obligation to surrender client documents.