Circuit Judge Chris Williams of Malvern announced his resignation, effective March 30.

Williams, who has served at the bench for 20 years in Hot Spring County, submitted his resignation to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Williams cited a “negotiation” with the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission (JDDC), as well as his “health and advancing age.”

The JDDC noted four resolved cases in which investigations “involved allegations of judicial misconduct” resulted in Williams’ resignation. He was accused of judicial misconduct related to rules of the Arkansas Code of Judicial Conduct.

A press release Thursday from the JDDC did not detail what the investigations involved. The confidentiality of the investigation’s proceedings limited what Abbott could disclose about the misconduct.

“The decision in this case to investigate the allegations and to negotiate was ultimately made by our commission members,” Emily Abbott, JDDC’s executive director, told arkadelphian.com in a telephone interview.

It appears that Williams’s stepping down from the bench is unrelated to a federal investigation into alleged obstruction of justice by other office holders in Hot Spring County. The investigation into Williams’ misconduct, Abbott said, began in the fall of 2022 and predates the swearing in of Scott Finkbeiner to the office of sheriff.

“The JDDC appreciates the cooperation of witnesses and the support of other government agencies that participated in the investigations,” Abbot said in a press release. She said she was not at liberty to disclose which agencies were involved.

The action bars Williams, 69, from eligibility for election, appointment or service to any other public office in the future.

Williams wrote to the governor that he has been “truly blessed to have the privilege” of being judge.

Williams once chaired the very commission that played a role in unseating him. He was also a past president of the American Judges Association.

His political career dates to 1981, when he served as a Malvern city councilman for three years before becoming the city’s attorney, in 1984. He was elected to District Court Judge in Hot Spring County from 1992 until his 2002 election to the 7th Judicial Circuit Court bench, presiding over cases in Grant and Hot Spring counties. Prior to his election he had presided over Hot Spring County District Court since 1992.

Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University and a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.