Valley Appears Before Judge

Helena-West Helena--- Local attorney, James Fitzgerald Valley, appeared yesterday in Circuit Court in Pulaski County's Division Three before Honorable Jay Moody to present his defense to the charge that Valley should be held in contempt for not appearing before the Legislative Joint Audit Committee Hearing on October 11, 2012. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has a story on the hearing in today's edition (January 9, 2013) of the paper.

Judge Jay Moody will issue a ruling in "a few days" after considering the law and rules and how they apply to this case. Valley, through his lawyers, Attorney E. Dion Wilson and Attorney Don R. Etherly, presented a defense which included and explanation of Valley's absence because he was in court in Helena, Arkansas. Valley's defense also pointed out that the subpoena was not "valid" under the law because the witness fee was not "pre-paid" or tendered with the subpoena at the time of delivery. Valley's lawyers also pointed out that the lawsuit delivered to Valley did not include a "summons" which they argued is a basic requirement of notice and due process in any civil legal case.

Attorney James Fitzgerald Valley appears before Judge Jay Moody