On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Phillips County Judge Clark Hall faced censure and calls for resignation from the Phillips County Quorum Court following an incident where he forcibly entered a locked office.

The event took place on April 16 at the courthouse in Helena-West Helena, prompting a 7-0 vote by the Quorum Court on May 13 to censure Hall and request his resignation. One member abstained, and another was absent from the meeting. Despite the resolution, Hall has not stepped down.

According to a sheriff’s report, Hall noticed a light on in the office of Kym Mitchell, an employee of the First Judicial District, and proceeded to kick in the locked wooden door. Mitchell reported arriving at the courthouse around 7:45 a.m., locking her office door after placing her belongings inside, and briefly stepping away to use the restroom. Upon returning, she discovered the damaged door. Hall approached Mitchell to apologize, stating he would replace the door, but used profane language during the interaction. He explained he acted because he believed Mitchell had left the light on overnight. Concerned for her safety, Mitchell requested a no-contact order against Hall.

The incident also led to a confrontation between Hall and Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Halbert. According to Maj. Brian Holloway of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, the verbal altercation escalated, requiring others to intervene to prevent physical conflict between the two men.

Lita Moore-Johnson, the Quorum Court member who sponsored the censure resolution, expressed hope that the vote might encourage Hall to improve his conduct as county judge and lead the county more positively. However, she acknowledged skepticism about whether Hall would resign. Another Quorum Court member, Martin Rawls, described the resolution as a statement condemning Hall’s actions, emphasizing that elected officials should be held to high standards.

Hall, who previously served as a state representative from 2007 to 2011, ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. He lost in the Democratic primary to Scott Ellington, who was later defeated by Republican Rick Crawford in the general election.

 

 

Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette