Rogers attorney seeking new judgeship in Benton County Circuit Court

Rogers attorney Tony Noblin announced his candidacy Thursday (Aug. 8) for a newly created Circuit Court judgeship in the state’s 19th West Judicial District (Benton County).

Noblin is the second attorney to announce a campaign for the position, joining Bentonville attorney Christine Horwart.  March 3, 2020, is the date of the nonpartisan election.

State lawmakers created a seventh division for the district during the 2019 legislative session to help manage the increase in the number of cases in Benton County. The 19th West Judicial District currently has six Circuit Court Judges — Robin Green, Brad Karren, Thomas E. Smith. John R. Scott, Xollie Duncan and Doug Schrantz.

Noblin is an attorney at Noblin Law Firm in Rogers. He has a combined 25 years of experience in military service, law enforcement and as an attorney, according to a news release. Noblin said all three jobs share a common denominator.

“Each experience has taught me the importance of justice,” he said. “In the United States Air Force, I defended the idea that is expressed in the last three words of the Pledge of Allegiance – ‘Justice for All.’ As a Rogers Police Officer, I was a boots-on-the-ground advocate for justice in our local communities. Today, as an attorney, I represent my clients with integrity, to fight for justice on their behalf. As Circuit Judge, I will passionately pursue nothing less than doing what is just and what is right.”

Thursday’s campaign announcement included an endorsement from Steve Lowry, a retired resident agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

“I’ve been asked what qualifies Tony to be [a] Benton County Circuit Judge,” he said. “A standard answer would be that a judge must know the law and how to apply it to facts established in a trial or review. However, there are other qualifications. A good judge must have work experience to draw upon. He must be honest, fair, and wise. I can tell you this for certain, Tony Noblin meets and passes all these tests.”

Before becoming a lawyer, Noblin worked as a DEA task force officer, a drug task force officer for the 19th Judicial District, a Rogers police officer and as an intelligence controller in the United States Air Force.

Noblin is a member of the Rogers Planning Commission and the Rogers Rotary Club Downtown, where he served as charter president. He has previously served as president of Friends of Hobbs State Park, the Rogers Public Education Foundation and as a Rocky Branch volunteer fireman.

Noblin graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law, John Brown University and NorthWest Arkansas Community College. He and his wife of 22 years, Beth, are the parents of one child, Jacob, who will be a student at the University of Arkansas.