Gov. Hutchinson appoints Carnahan to district judge post

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced he will appoint Judge Chris Carnahan as district court judge in Faulkner and Van Buren counties, Ninth District, Division Two.

His term will begin January 1, 2019, and expire on December 31, 2020. He is replacing Judge Susan Weaver, circuit judge-elect of the 20th Circuit.

“Judge Carnahan has the right work ethic and judicial temperament to be an outstanding district court judge,” Hutchinson said. “I have full confidence in his ability, and I know he will do an exemplary job.”

Carnahan currently serves as 20th Judicial District circuit judge, Division One for Faulkner, Van Buren and Searcy counties.

He previously served as general counsel for the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, domestic violence and senior deputy prosecuting attorney for the 20th Judicial District, and deputy prosecuting attorney for the 15th Judicial District.

Carnahan began his legal career as an associate with Tatum, Tatum, & Riedel of Danville, and he has practiced solo. He has served as city attorney for several small municipalities in central and western Arkansas. Carnahan received his law degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is also a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.