Opinion No.

The Honorable Pat Pappas State Representative 2901 Willow Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603

Dear Representative Pappas:

This is in response to your request for an opinion on whether an attorney who is a member of a city civil service commission for the fire and police departments, and accordingly has access to the personnel files of members of the city police force, may represent criminal defendants.

In my opinion, the answer to your question is generally "yes," subject to the provisions of any local ordinance that may apply. As discussed below, however, it would be prudent for the commissioner to…