Richard Lane Hughes

Litigation is our practice. If a case has the potential to go to a trial we want a chance to be engaged. If it is in our client's best interest to settle, we will do so, but only if it is the course chosen by the client.

University of Arkansas - Little Rock

J.D. (1982) | Law

1979 - 1982

Owner

Hughes Law Office

Current

G. Ross Smith & Assoc.

Current

Crumpler, O'Connor & Wynne

Current

Arkansas State Bar

Member

Current

Arkansas Bar Association

Current

Henry Woods Inn of Courts

Current

Arkansas

8th Circuit

Since 1982

United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Since 2012

• Contingent Fees
  Contingency fees are available in many cases.

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Civil Rights

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Medical Malpractice

Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

Nursing Home Abuse

Q. At a concert and husband was falling and he grabbed my hair.

September 11, 2023

A: Yes, once charged the matter is in the hands of the State. However, no prosecutor wants a key witness available to the defendant to be hostile towards the State's case. Your husband needs an experienced attorney. If he cannot afford an attorney and meets certain criteria, the court will appoint an attorney to represent him.

Q. So, my boyfriend is being charged with capital murder. Can I ask a question?

August 22, 2023

A: This is called vicarious responsibility. Not a favorite of the law. However, legislators who make our laws want to be seen as tough on crime. The notion is that a person in the position of your boyfriend is responsible for the conduct of of all actors engaged in a criminal undertaking. It sounds as if your boyfriend was engaged in a home burglary. The fact that the "victim" is a drug dealer does not negate the fact that a burglary was planned and your boyfriend was a part of that undertaking. At least he aided and abetted the deceased in the criminal venture.

A jury might not be receptive of this legal fiction so prosecutors will often offer a reduced charge to a person in the position of your boyfriend.

Boyfriend needs an experienced criminal defense attorney. If he cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint a lawyer to represent him. ... Read More

Q. An inmate was sentenced to 2nd degree murder, under the Protect Arkansas act , will they have to do 85% of their time?

July 31, 2023

A: First, you should be aware that the the Protect Arkansas Act does not apply to offenders for crimes committed before January 1, 2025.

Following that date, a defendant convicted of 2nd degree murder will serve 85% of his or her time before becoming eligible for release. That is, upon completing 85% of the sentence the inmate may go before the Parole Board and may be released to parole. He or she will not automatically be released upon completion of 85% of the sentence.

Seventeen years on a twenty year sentence before parole eligibility.

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