Bobby Lee Jones v. State of Arkansas

Summary

The court held that the circuit court violated Arkansas Rule of Evidence 201(e) by taking judicial notice of a prior order without giving Jones a timely requested opportunity to be heard regarding the propriety and tenor of the matter noticed. Because that order was central to the summary-judgment ruling and Jones was denied the opportunity to meet proof with proof, the error was not harmless. The court reversed and remanded for a hearing and did not reach the remaining issues.