An Arkansas Supreme Court justice has recused herself from a case that seeks to block the enforcement of a law that prohibits state and local governments, including public school districts, from mandating individuals to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Shawn Womack of Mountain Home (right) swears in Johnnie Copeland of Mountain Home as circuit court judge in a recent ceremony.
Justice Shawn Womack of the Arkansas Supreme Court presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Circuit Judge Johnnie Copeland on Jan. 1. Judge Copeland succeeds Judge Gordon Webb, who retired after a long and distinguished career in public service as both a prosecuting attorney and circuit judge.
Judge Copeland has practiced law in Mountain Home since 2006 and served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the 14th Judicial District since 2015. In 2017, she was appointed Fulton County district judge by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Judge Copeland will be hearing civil and domestic cases filed in Baxter, Boone, Newton and Marion counties.