Months of growing tension between Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson and members of the Quorum Court have led to increasing concerns over the legality and appropriateness of court operations — a situation that could ultimately be decided in court.
In recent interviews with Deltaplex News, both County Judge Robinson and Justice of the Peace Ted Harden accused a group of eight justices — Rick Victorino, Reginald Adams, Reginald Johnson, Melanie Dumas, Alfred Carroll, Brenda Bishop-Gaddy, and Maragrette Williams — of disregarding Arkansas state law and established procedures governing the Quorum Court.
In response, Justice Rick Victorino sent a detailed email to Deltaplex News, disputing those allegations and defending the actions of the group. According to Victorino, the justices acted in accordance with Procedural Ordinance 25-8, which was passed legally and forms the foundation for current court operations, including budget allocations for 2025.
Victorino outlined three key points in his response:
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Elected Officials’ Pay — Without the passage of Procedural Ordinance 25-8 and the 2025 budget, neither County Judges nor Justices of the Peace would have resumed receiving their paychecks or per diem allowances, as mandated by Senate Bill 182.
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Agenda Procedures — The office of Circuit Judge Brown submitted three of eleven agenda items currently under review through the county clerk’s office, in accordance with the guidelines outlined in Ordinance 25-8.
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Legal Submissions — The Prosecuting Attorney, officially recognized as the county attorney by both state and county law, also submitted requests through the clerk’s office in compliance with the same ordinance.
Victorino also addressed confusion surrounding an ordinance related to retroactive pay. He clarified that the measure does not involve back pay for Justices of the Peace, which would violate SB182. Instead, he said, it concerns owed compensation for teachers and administrators at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), whose promised pay increases were delayed.
He also emphasized the importance of retaining qualified educators in such a demanding and potentially hazardous environment.
Victorino referenced a previous meeting in which Judge Robinson allegedly advised the sheriff to temporarily place staff into open positions with the assurance that, once the procedural ordinance and budget passed, their pay would be made whole. Victorino indicated he plans to review meeting recordings to verify the exact language used.
As disputes over authority, process, and policy continue to mount, many in Jefferson County are left wondering whether resolution will come from within the court — or from a courtroom.
