The Arkansas Supreme Court Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator held a special program for circuit judges, prosecuting attorneys, and public defenders on March 14, in Little Rock. The program, entitled “United States Supreme Court Decisions Affecting Sentencing and Post-conviction Procedure,” featured speakers from the Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator and Assistant Attorney General Christian Harris.

Among the topics discussed were decisions of the United States Supreme Court redefining appropriate sentencing for juveniles and the role of federal courts in assessing allegations in post-conviction proceedings of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. The goal of the program was to bring a greater understanding of the decisions that have brought significant changes to criminal law and procedure and that will continue to have a profound effect in those areas as precedent is developed. The program will be repeated at the Spring Judicial College/Judicial Council meeting in June.