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Candidate for El Dorado City Council is eligible to hold office due to infamous crime conviction.

A 1991 conviction for a felony charge of Theft by Deception makes her ineligible 

Janice Hicks is running for the Ward 1 seat on the El Dorado, AR City Council.

Hicks is ineligible to hold any elected office in the state of Arkansas due to a 1991 conviction for Theft by Deception.

Hicks was able to get her felony records sealed in 2024, but she is still barred from holding any elected office.

Hicks filed a petition to seal her conviction in November 2024.

Union County Circuit Court Judge David Graham signed an order on November 25, 2024.

Under Article 5, Section 9 of the Arkansas Constitution, any person convicted of embezzlement of public money, bribery, forgery, or any other "infamous crime" is permanently ineligible to hold or run for elected office in the state.

Infamous crimes in Arkansas includes any felony or misdemeanor involving deceit, fraud, or false statement. 

Hot check convictions under the Arkansas Hot Check Law have been repeatedly classified as crimes of deception and fraud, making candidates who plead guilty or are convicted legally ineligible.

Under state law, having a public trust or infamous crime sealed or expunged does not restore your eligibility to run for office.

The Arkansas Supreme Court enforces these rules even when a conviction occurred decades prior or resulted from a misdemeanor.

Here's an article from the Arkansas Law Review that explains it all.


Word is that a lawsuit to remove her from the ballot is in the works in El Dorado.

Check back for updates.

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