Justice Hiland announces for Supreme Court

LITTLE ROCK — A man who was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court said Monday that he will be seeking a full eight-year term on the court in next year’s judicial election.

Justice Cody Hiland said in the announcement on his website that he will be seeking the Associate Justice, Pos. 6 seat on the court. Hiland, who was appointed in 2022 and 2024 to the court, cited his legal experience including serving as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas as reasons that voters should consider him.

“I am deeply honored to serve as a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. This role demands an unwavering oath to defend our Constitution and protect the rule of law,” Hiland said. “Today (Monday), in announcing my candidacy for a full term as a justice on the state’s highest court, I ask the people of Arkansas for the privilege of continuing to serve in this critical office of public trust.”

He said he has also worked to author opinions on the court that “conform to the law and reflect a firm commitment to impartiality, fairness and protection of constitutional principles.”

In addition to serving as U.S. Attorney from 2017 to 2020, he was also elected twice as prosecuting attorney for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy counties in 2010 and 2014, received the 2017 “Champion of Justice” award from the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the 2020 “Chairman’s Award” from the Arkansas State Police Foundation.

In the announcement, Hiland said, while serving as U.S. Attorney, the office increased its caseload by 82 percent in the first year by focusing on violent crime. He said in his term as U.S. Attorney, homicides in Little Rock dropped by 24 percent, drive-by shootings fell by 55 percent and overall violent crime dropped as well.

Hiland also served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety before being appointed to the state’s highest court.