Hope Kiwanis Club Hears From District Judge Kolby Harper

The Hope Kiwanis Club heard from one of their own on Tuesday June 11th.  District Judge Kolby Harper gave an overview of her job and also her background in law.

Judge Harper grew up in Gurdon.  She attended Ouachita Baptist University and received her law degree from U.A./Fayetteville.  She worked in the prosecutor’s office in Clark County and then worked in Hempstead and Nevada County for Cristi McQueen in the prosecutor’s office in Hempstead and Nevada County.  She also worked in Saline County in the prosecutor’s office.  She was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of District Judge Tony Yocom after he resigned from that position.   As an appointed judge she cannot succeed herself immediately following the expiration of her term in December.

District Court handles mostly minor offenses such as misdemeanors and traffic violations.  District court also handles small claims court.  Her divisions include Hempstead and Nevada county as well as the city of Hope and Prescott.

Judge Harper shared some numbers from the past 6 months in her courts.  For the city of Hope she’s personally heard about 1,200 cases in the past 6 months.  For Hempstead County she’s heard nearly 2,300 cases.  She noted this is not unusual as District Court traditionally hears a heavy caseload.

Judge Harper also noted she personally likes the people who appear before her to be on time.

The Kiwanians asked many questions and greatly enjoyed hearing from Judge Harper.