Cobbs v. Arkansas Department of Human Services

I concur that this motion for attorney’s fees should be granted, in keeping with Walters v. Dep’t of Human Servs., 83 Ark. App. 85, 118 S.W.3d 134 (2003). I write only to address an issue that has arisen since our decision in Walters. Indigent parents are entitled to appointed counsel “at all stages of the proceedings in parental termination cases,” see Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-316(h)(l) (Supp. 2003); Brown v. Arkansas Dep’t of Human Servs., 330 Ark. 497, 954 S.W.2d 270 (1997). However, unlike with respect to indigent criminal appellants, this court to date has not been appropriated any funds by…