Petition Filed to Remove Searcy County Judge from Office

A petition has been filed in Searcy County Circuit Court to remove County Judge Jimmy Dale Harness from office and requests a temporary restraining order be placed against him.

The action is a result of Harness having pled guilty to a felony breaking or entering charge last October.

Through a negotiated plea, Harness entered a plea of nolo contendere or the equivalent of guilty to four charges. In addition to the felony count, the judge’s charges included misdemeanors of criminal mischief, interference with emergency communications and harassment.

He has sentenced to five years probation in the domestic disturbance case involving his estranged wife in June 2020.

Online documents in the case to remove Harness from office note Arkansas law states if a person has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere or has been found guilty of a public trust crime, the person shall not hold a county elected office. A public trust crime is defined as one prohibited under the Arkansas Constitution. These include infamous crimes or felony offenses.

In addition, the petition from the state requests a temporary restraining order prohibiting Harness from performing any duties associated with his role as county judge and receiving compensation for those duties during the pending suit.

Special Prosecuting Attorney Ashley Bowen of Little Rock has been assigned to the case.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Harness forced his way into the home of his estranged wife in Marshall, where the woman and a guest were watching television.

He reportedly beat on the door several times, as well as a window, breaking the glass.

He then “kicked” the locked deadbolted door four to six times, forcibly entering the house, while causing pictures to fall from the wall.

After gaining entry, Harness allegedly began taking pictures of the woman and her guest.

The woman said she tapped her cellphone in an attempt to reach 911, and Harness reportedly seized the device.