Former state Rep. Dwayne Dobbins will get quick action from the state’s highest court, one way or the other.

The Arkansas Supreme Court said today it will give expedited consideration to Dobbins’ effort to get his name on the Nov. 4 general election ballot in North Little Rock.

In a per curiam order, the court set a deadline of noon Thursday for the parties to file briefs and said it would not accept reply briefs.

Dobbins filed a lawsuit on Oct. 10 challenging the state Democratic Party’s refusal to certify him as a candidate for his former House seat.

The party adopted a rule in July prohibiting ballot certification of any Democratic candidate who has resigned from elective office as part of a plea deal to avoid felony prosecution.

Dobbins resigned from his House seat and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment in a 2005 plea deal after he was charged initially with felony sexual assault. Prosecutors said he improperly touched a 17-year-old girl at his home.

A Pulaski County circuit judge dismissed Dobbins’ lawsuit Friday, saying it was not filed in a timely manner. On Monday Dobbins filed an appeal with the state’s highest court and asked for expedited consideration.

Tags: Dwayne Dobbins, general election

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