A legal challenge seeking to disqualify Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. from appearing on the 2026 ballot has been stayed until 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, following arguments heard Friday before Special Judge Randall Wright.
After hearing arguments, Wright ordered Jefferson County officials to produce any files related to an alleged misdemeanor conviction involving Woods for the court’s in camera review by next Friday. An in camera review allows the judge to examine records privately to determine whether they are relevant or disqualifying.
If necessary, all parties will return to court at that time. However, Wright indicated he may issue a ruling without requiring an additional hearing.
Following Friday’s hearing, Cannon released a statement regarding the proceedings.
“I appreciate the Court hearing this case and am pleased that we will get a ruling on the merits,” Cannon said. “It spoke volumes that Sheriff Woods did not appear at the hearing and that his attorneys tried to get it thrown out on technicalities, when really, the issue is simple. Was the Sheriff convicted of a crime that makes him ineligible to hold the position? Yes or no? The people of Jefferson County deserve an answer, and I look forward to the Court getting the people of Jefferson County an answer to the question that their Sheriff keeps avoiding.”
The lawsuit was filed by Mark Cannon, a Jefferson County resident and candidate for sheriff. Cannon is asking the court to declare Woods constitutionally ineligible to seek reelection, alleging Woods has a prior misdemeanor theft conviction that qualifies as an “infamous crime” under Article 5, Section 9 of the Arkansas Constitution. That provision bars individuals convicted of infamous crimes from holding public office.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has previously ruled that misdemeanor theft qualifies as an infamous crime under the state constitution.
Four new filings were entered Monday in the case. The documents were submitted by Cannon’s attorney, Kenneth P. “Casey” Castleberry, ahead of the scheduled Friday hearing.
Woods is named as a respondent both individually and in his official capacity as sheriff. Other respondents include the Jefferson County Board of Election Commissioners, Jefferson County Clerk Shawndra Taggart, Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Col. Marcus Jones and Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair Theodis Davis.
Cannon is seeking a writ of mandamus, along with declaratory and injunctive relief, asking the court to order election officials to remove Woods from the ballot. If ballots have already been printed, Cannon is requesting that the court prohibit the counting or certification of any votes cast for Woods.
Among the new filings are responses opposing Woods’ motion for summary judgment and motion for sanctions, as well as affidavits from two individuals who state they have knowledge of Woods’ alleged prior conviction.
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson submitted an affidavit stating that while serving as chief deputy sheriff in 2004, he reviewed Woods’ criminal background report during the hiring process. Robinson said the report reflected a misdemeanor theft conviction. He added that he was not aware at the time that such a conviction could be disqualifying for elected office.
A second affidavit from Dexter Holmes, a former Pine Bluff police officer, states he cited Woods for theft in either 1997 or 1998 after observing him shoplift a rifle scope from Walmart. Holmes said Woods was formally charged with theft of property in connection with that incident but said he was uncertain whether the charge resulted in a misdemeanor or felony conviction.
Woods has denied the allegations and previously filed motions to dismiss and for summary judgment. In a newly filed response, Cannon argues the matter is a special statutory mandamus proceeding and not governed by the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, disputing Woods’ reliance on procedural rules concerning requests for admission and summary judgment.
Cannon has also asked the court to review any sealed criminal records in camera to determine whether a disqualifying conviction exists.
The outcome of the March 13 hearing — or a ruling issued before then — could have significant implications for the 2026 Jefferson County sheriff’s race.
