Latham v. State

"Read the dadgum statute!" So implored the late Albert Matthew Francis ("Al") Witte to the first-year, section-four law-school students circa 1983-in more colorful language. Or, as he would tenderly apply it in this case, "Read the rules. Closely." "If we interpret our rules on a case-by-case basis, being swayed by the result of our interpretation, why then do we provide these things we call rules?" Jonesboro Healthcare Ctr., LLC v. Eaton-Moery Envtl. Servs., Inc. , 2011 Ark. 501, 385 S.W.3d 797 (Danielson, J., dissenting).

For years, first under District Court Rule 9, and now pursuant to Rule…