On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct cautioned attorney Tabatha Sheree Branch for professional misconduct related to her representation of Craig Criswell in an appeal case. The Committee’s decision, documented in CPC Docket No. 2025-005, stems from information provided by the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
Criswell had been convicted of felony drug offenses in 2020, receiving a 144-month suspended imposition of sentence. In January 2025, the State of Arkansas filed a petition to impose the suspended sentence following Criswell’s 2023 arrest for felony drug possession and failure to pay court-ordered fines. Criswell was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 84 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
While Criswell’s trial counsel initially filed a timely Notice of Appeal, Branch entered her appearance on April 11, 2024, filing a second Notice of Appeal. She lodged the record on July 9, 2024, setting a deadline of August 18, 2024, for filing Criswell’s brief.
The Committee found that Branch failed to file the brief by the deadline and took no further action for approximately eight months. She eventually filed a Motion to File Belated Brief on March 4, 2025. The Arkansas Court of Appeals granted the motion on March 19, 2025, while also referring Branch to the Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct.
Panel D of the Committee determined that Branch’s conduct violated Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2, and 8.4(d). These violations pertain to her failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, expedite litigation, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
In addition to the caution, Branch is required to pay $150 in costs to the “Clerk, Arkansas Supreme Court” within thirty days of the filing of the Findings and Order.
According to Avvo, Ms. Branch is a car accident lawyer in North Little Rock, AR. She acquired her law license in Arkansas in 2002.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
