Attorney Tom Haynes to seek 2nd judicial district judge seat
by July 17, 2025 12:02 pm 688 views
Attorney Tom Haynes has announced his candidacy for circuit judge in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which serves Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties.
A fifth generation Arkansan, Haynes was born and raised in Greene County and is a graduate of Paragould High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Arkansas and earned his juris doctor with high honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.
“As a judge, the most important qualities are fairness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the law,” Haynes said. “I’ve spent my career working to ensure justice is served — both for victims and for the accused — and I will bring the same integrity, reason, and even temperament to the bench.”
With almost 15 years of experience in criminal and civil courts, Haynes has served the region in a variety of legal roles, including as the assistant city attorney for the city of Jonesboro and was a partner at the Snellgrove, Langley, Culpepper, Williams & Mullally law firm.
He also worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Poinsett County and as an attorney ad litem in Greene County, advocating for children in dependency-neglect cases. Haynes also has worked as a part-time public defender in Craighead County and an associate attorney with the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock.
Through the course of his career, Haynes has gained courtroom experience, trying numerous jury trials and handling the full spectrum of cases that fall under the jurisdiction of a circuit judge.
Having practiced as a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor, Haynes has experience representing the accused, while also successfully prosecuting defendants for a range of violent crimes including murder, manslaughter, domestic violence, and sex offenses.
“My roots in Northeast Arkansas run deep,” Haynes said. “This region shaped my values, and I have a strong appreciation for both the people who live here and the unique challenges our communities face. The people of Northeast Arkansas deserve a judge who not only understands the law but also understands the lives it’s meant to protect. It would be the honor of a lifetime to serve as circuit judge.”