Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Joe Short Seeks Spot As Judge

JOE SHORT

Joe Short of Hope has announced that he will be a candidate for Circuit/Chancery/Juvenile Judge in the newly created Eighth North Judicial District. The new district is comprised of Hempstead and Nevada Counties.

Short has been engaged in the general practice of law in Hope for 22 years having begun his practice in June 1976 by joining the late Larry S. Patterson in the practice of law. In 1981, he formed a partnership with the late John L. Wilson and Charles M. Walker to practice law under the firm name Wilson, Walker & Short, this firm continues today to represent clients in all types of litigation and legal work.

Short has served as deputy prosecuting attorney in Lafayette County and in Hempstead County. He is a former city attorney for the city of Lewisville and has served since 1988 as the attorney for the city of Hope.

Short is a graduate of Fayetteville High School and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He holds a juris doctor's degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville, having graduated in December 1974.

Short stated that his reasons for seeking this judgeship include his desire to see that the administration of justice is done in an efficient manner with all parties being treated equally, fairly and courteously under the law.

Since this judgeship also is responsible for all juvenile cases, he also wants to explore all available programs that could provide assistance to troubled juveniles and their families, so that the juveniles can become useful and productive members of society.

"We must implement programs to provide support, rehabilitation and education for our troubled young people in order that they can choose and follow the correct path in life," Short said in a prepared news release. Short also stated that his extensive legal background and 22 years of trial experience will be a great benefit to him in this judgeship, as well as all parties coming before the court, because this judgeship will be responsible for hearing every type of case that can be filed in state court. "Legal experience, trial experience, and an extensive background in the law are vital qualifications for this judgeship," he said.

Short will run as a Democrat and is subject to the Democratic Primary on May 19.

Short and his wife, Sally, have two sons, Christopher, 18, a student at University of Arkansas Com-munity College at Hope; and, Jordan, 13, a student at Yerger Middle

School. He and his family are members of First Presbyterian Church of Hope.