Changes in Custody Laws and Judicial Discretion
Kevin Hickey
I agree with Landers on the point about judges needing discretion. I think mandating a joint custody arrangement is definitely the wrong move. Arkansas has recently enacted legislation that makes joint custody "favored" in Arkansas but not mandatory. Judges should be allowed to make case by case decisions and go with the tried and true phrase that has been with us for ages - best interest of the child.