Opinion

Krass v. Arkansas Department of Human Services

  • 2009 Ark. App. 245
  • 306 S.W.3d 14
  • 2009 Ark. App. LEXIS 303
Court
Court of Appeals of Arkansas
Filed
Apr 8, 2009
Status
Published
Author
Baker
On the bench
John Mauzy Pittman
Cited by
9 cases
Authority
More cited than 8.1%

The opinion

KAREN R. BAKER, Judge, dissenting.

I would order rebriefing in this case for two reasons. First, because the taped interview of D.K. was not included in appellant’s abstract or addendum, we are unable to conduct the full examination required to decide whether the case is wholly frivolous. Campbell v. State, 74 Ark.App. 277 , 47 S.W.3d 915 (2001). Second, I do not believe that appellant’s brief sets out why any adverse rulings would not arguably support an appeal.

In reaching this conclusion, I do not find that the trial court erred. Such a finding is not necessary prior to ordering rebrief-ing of a no-merit case. In order to determine that an appeal is wholly without merit, or so frivolous that it may be decided without any 11 ¿adversary presentation, we need not determine whether error was committed, but only that the case is not wholly frivolous. “Wholly without merit” or “wholly frivolous” are the standards we must apply in no-merit cases. Justus v. State, 96 Ark.App. 29 , 237 S.W.3d 528 (2006).

Numerous evidentiary rulings in this case were decided adversely to the appellant. I do not believe that the no-merit brief filed in this case adequately explains why none of these rulings would arguably support an appeal. While I do not find that the trial court’s adverse rulings constitute an abuse of discretion, neither can I find that an appeal of the trial court’s decisions regarding admission or rejection of evidence propounded by appellant is “wholly without merit.” Therefore, I respectfully dissent.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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