DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – Montgomery County Judge Sammy Jones and County Sheriff David White would like to invite everyone to an open house at the new criminal justice facility to be held Wednesday, November 3, at 1 p.m.
The new criminal justice facility includes a new jail and sheriff’s office, as well as a new state of the art courtroom. Several visiting lawyers from around the state have commented on the new courtroom saying it is among the best in the state.
The new courtroom includes a sound system that makes hearing proceedings possible throughout the courtroom. There is a Audio/Visual system that allows the court to hear and see persons virtually in the courtroom as well.
The new jail houses male and female prisoners and has offices for state police, Arkansas Game and Fish and the local 911 operator.
The new criminal justice facility is located on Fairgrounds Road across the street from the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Mount Ida.
The open house was originally scheduled as a dedication with JPs agreeing in their September meeting to dedicate the new jail in honor of former county sheriff, James Roy Carmack and the new courtroom in honor of former District Judge, William McKimm.
However, Prosecuting Attorney Jason Barrett asked that the dedication of the new courtroom be put on hold for now due to the fact that McKimm currently works as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Montgomery County. Barrett stated that while he doesn’t know of a legal reason why they can’t, he did note that defendants and their attorneys might feel it difficult to stand across the room from someone whose name is on the building.
The JPs agreed with his assessment and decided to withhold the dedication of the buildings until McKimm is no longer working for the prosecuting attorney’s office.
