Chris Piazza

Chris Piazza
Chris Piazza
Division 2 judge of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 1990
Prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit
	In office; 1985–1990
Preceded by	W. C. Bentley
Succeeded by	Mark Stodola
Personal details
Political party	Democratic (Non Partisan)

Christopher C. Piazza is a Division 2 judge of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit.^[2]

Notable rulings

Wright v. Arkansas

On May 9, 2014, Piazza ruled the ban on same-sex marriage in the state of Arkansas was unconstitutional, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state.^[3]

Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole

On April 16, 2010, Piazza overturned Arkansas Act 1 in the case of Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole which makes it illegal for any individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care to minors.^[4] The ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.^[5]

Electoral history

1984

Democratic primary election of Arkansas prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit, June 1984^[6]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Chris Piazza	36,782	52.79
	Democratic	Mark Stodola	32,891	47.21
Total votes			69,673	100

1990

Democratic primary election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, May 29, 1990^[6]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Chris Piazza	43,331	74.74
	Democratic	John Choate	14,643	25.26
Total votes			57,974	100

General election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, November 6, 1990^[6]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Chris Piazza	43,206	50.11
	Republican	Hayward Battle	22,786	26.43
	No party preference	Henry Osterloh	20,226	23.46
Total votes			43,338	100

2014

Chris Piazza is running for re-election to the Sixth Circuit. He is running unopposed in the general election for the Sixth Circuit on May 20, 2014.^[2]

Appointments

Piazza was appointed by Bill Clinton, during his time as Arkansas governor, to chair a panel that was drafting state ethics legislation. Due to this appointment, Piazza recused himself from a later case to disbar Clinton.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b Daniels, C. & Hughes, J. (2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press., 2008
^ ^a ^b ^c Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Chris Piazza," accessed April 7, 2014
^ "Arkansas judge strikes down state ban on same-sex marriage". Reuters. May 9, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
^ Judge overturns state's adoption law
^ "State Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban". Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c "1976-1990 Arkansas Historical Election Results". scribd.com. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times.

[1985_judge-1] Daniels, C. & Hughes, J. (2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press., 2008

[filing-2] Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information: Chris Piazza," accessed April 7, 2014

[reuters59-3] "Arkansas judge strikes down state ban on same-sex marriage". Reuters. May 9, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.

[4] Judge overturns state's adoption law

[5] "State Supreme Court strikes down adoption ban". Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2014.

[Election_results-6] "1976-1990 Arkansas Historical Election Results". scribd.com. Retrieved May 20, 2014.

[7] "Archives". Los Angeles Times.

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