Smith v. State

James R. Cooper, Judge.

The appellant in this criminal case is a black person. He was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, found guilty by an all-white jury, fined $5,000.00, and sentenced to fifteen years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. From that decision, comes this appeal.

For reversal, the appellant contends that the trial court erred in restricting his voir dire examination of prospective jurors concerning racial bias. We reverse.

A trial judge has wide discretion to regulate the scope and extent of voir dire, and his restriction of voir dire examination will not be…