Chris Piazza

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

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

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.

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. The ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.

Electoral history

1984

Democratic primary election of Arkansas prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit, June 1984
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
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
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.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Daniels, C. & Hughes, J. (2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press., 2008
  2. 1 2 3 Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Chris Piazza," accessed April 7, 2014[dead link]
  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. 1 2 3 "1976-1990 Arkansas Historical Election Results". scribd.com. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Archives". Los Angeles Times.