PINE BLUFF, AR, June 5, 2015 – Local Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Guynn announced today that he will run for the 11th Judicial District West Circuit Court Judge seat. Guynn has served as the Managing Partner of the Neely Guynn Law Firm in Pine Bluff since 2011 and has dedicated the last 10 years of his career working in the legal profession. His firm, one of the fastest growing law firms in Central Arkansas region, has resulted in a superb success record of favorable verdicts and settlements in both criminal and civil litigation. As a court-appointed Dependency-Neglect Attorney Ad Litem in the Juvenile Division, a former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas Public Defender Conflicts Attorney for Jefferson/Lincoln County and with the Wal-Mart Corporation legal department, he has demonstrated an unwavering regard for impartial, fair, and just practice of law.
“Arkansans deserve able, fair, and independent jurists on the bench and I am honored to rise to the occasion to make a difference not only in the Pine Bluff community, but to fully interpret the law in an honest and integral way,” says Guynn. Guynn, a graduate of Pine Bluff’s own Watson Chapel High School and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, prides himself on being in touch with the community that he aims to serve. “I have the experience necessary to best serve the residents of Jefferson and Lincoln County. “I was born and raised here, so this is my past and my present. I have a vested interest in assuring that people receive the attention, service, and courtesy they deserve when standing before the Circuit Court. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” As Guynn states further, “There needs to be more honest, diligent, and capable jurists on the bench and it is my aim to maintain integrity and confidence in the justice system to the best of my ability.”
Guynn highlights his efforts will be to expand the drug and veterans’ courts. He has set his sights on a more aggressive approach to prosecution. Through expansion of the treatment courts, he believes that he can keep offenders out of prison and help to transition and rehabilitate offenders into productive, law-abiding citizens by addressing underlying problems prior to punishment. Not only does he believe that this will save Arkansas taxpayers money and potentially addressing the root of crime. Guynn’s platform, “Faith in Law and Strength in Community vows to (1) Put Children First; (2) Fast Track Domestic Violence Cases, and (3) Hold Violent Offenders Accountable.
As judge, Guynn plans to give priority to all cases in which child victims are testifying as witness. His experience with child advocacy firsthand makes him sensitive to the subject. “I know how traumatic court can be for them. Trial postponements put their young lives on hold and can adversely impact their well-being. We need to protect our most vulnerable citizens and put children first,” says Guynn.
Guynn also intends to offer a fast track for domestic violence cases. “Victims are more likely to remain engaged in the court process if there is opportunity for quick resolution. Early treatment of offenders leads to a reduction in future assaults, domestic violence, and repeat offenders. Implementing a fast track system will increase safety for both the victims and their families. Delaying their day in court is an adversary for justice and is detrimental for both the victim and the accused”, Guynn explains.
As a Circuit Court Judge, Guynn intends to hold violent offenders responsible for their actions. “Treatment courts and local probation is only adequate for some non-violent criminal offenses. I will ensure that convicted offenders meet accountability in a fair and impartial manner to ensure justice for the victims and society.”
“I think it’s time to put public safety back on the agenda. My number one priority is proper sentencing, especially developing appropriate alternative sentencing for low risk, first time offenders and sentence repeat offenders and violent offenders to protect the public and the victim. I want to ensure that justice for everyone is effective, efficient, fair, and legally sound.”
Guynn was recently appointed by a panel of attorneys to the Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel in 2015 to represent indigent federal court defendants. He was recognized by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Outstanding Legal Service as a Jefferson County Attorney Ad Litem in 2014 and commendation by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences for an in-depth lecture on Criminal Justice and Juvenile Delinquency. He was named one of the top criminal attorneys in Little Rock by Soiree Magazine in 2014.
Guynn is a member of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Alumni Association, the First Assembly of God (Pine Bluff, AR), and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. He serves as a Board Member for various organizations including the Valley Harvest Community Outreach Center, the Bare Earth Training and Advancement Center of Jefferson County, and the Jefferson County Drug Court Outreach Foundation.
Attorney Alex Guynn humbly asks the people for the opportunity to serve them with bold leadership and strategy of partnership and community engagement to advance the interests of the constituency by implementing sound and limited self-governance. He believes that the skills he acquired through his legal practice and his public and volunteer service will serve the judgeship well. Guynn stated that, “My candidacy is a result of my desire to work in the community that I was reared in to ensure that the community is well positioned for success today in the future. My goal is to foster stronger relationships between the Court, the community, and agencies and I want to continue within that vein as the next Circuit Court Judge for this District.”
Alex Guynn resides in the Pine Bluff area with his wife Lynn Guynn and their two beautiful daughters – Logan and Brooklyn.