Chris Piazza

Chris Piazza
Division 2 judge of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office
1990
Prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit[1]
In office
1985–1990[1]
Preceded byW. C. Bentley
Succeeded byMark Stodola
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic (Non Partisan)[2]

Christopher C. Piazza is a Division 2 judge of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit.[2]

Notable rulings

Wright v. Arkansas

On May 9, 2014, Piazza ruled the ban on same-sex marriage in the state of Arkansas was unconstitutional, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state.[3]

Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole

On April 16, 2010, Piazza overturned Arkansas Act 1 in the case of Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole which makes it illegal for any individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care to minors.[4] The ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.[5]

Electoral history

1984

Democratic primary election of Arkansas prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit, June 1984[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Piazza 36,782 52.79
Democratic Mark Stodola 32,891 47.21
Total votes 69,673 100

1990

Democratic primary election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, May 29, 1990[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Piazza 43,331 74.74
Democratic John Choate 14,643 25.26
Total votes 57,974 100
General election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, November 6, 1990[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Piazza 43,206 50.11
Republican Hayward Battle 22,786 26.43
No party preference Henry Osterloh 20,226 23.46
Total votes 43,338 100

2014

Chris Piazza is running for re-election to the Sixth Circuit. He is running unopposed in the general election for the Sixth Circuit on May 20, 2014.[2]

Appointments

Piazza was appointed by Bill Clinton, during his time as Arkansas governor, to chair a panel that was drafting state ethics legislation. Due to this appointment, Piazza recused himself from a later case to disbar Clinton.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Daniels, C. & Hughes, J. (2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press., 2008
  2. ^ a b c Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Chris Piazza," accessed April 7, 2014
  3. ^ "Arkansas judge strikes down state ban on same-sex marriage". Reuters. May 9, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  4. ^ Judge overturns state's adoption law
  5. ^ "State Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban". Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "1976-1990 Arkansas Historical Election Results". scribd.com. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times.