Bailiff resigns after second DWI arrest
Posted: August 4, 2009 at 7:02 a.m.
BENTONVILLE — Melissa Bates resigned her position as bailiff for Circuit Judge Xollie Duncan on Monday.
Bates, 35, was arrested Sunday for driving while intoxicated and other misdemeanor charges. It was her second arrest in the last three months.
Duncan confirmed Monday morning that Bates had resigned. Duncan said Bates tendered her resignation, and Duncan accepted it. Duncan declined tocomment further on Bates.
Bates was released on citation Sunday from the Benton County Jail after her arrest for driving while intoxicated, driving with license suspended or revoked and refusing to submit to an intoxication test.
She was arrested by a Benton County Sheriff's Office deputy at about 3 a.m. Sunday at Dixieland and Hudson roads in Rogers.
Bates was arrested in April by Bentonville police for driving while intoxicated and refusing to submit to achemical test. The Bentonville case has not been resolved.
Bates began working as a bailiff in August 2008. She also worked for several years as an officer for the Bella Vista Police Department.
On Monday, Maj. Gene Drake of the Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Sheriff Keith Ferguson had pulled Bates' commission.
Bates was not an employee with the Sheriff's Office, but the commission gave her authority outside of the courtroom.
News, Pages 4 on 08/04/2009
(Advertisement)
« Previous Story
Lincoln orientation is Wednesday
On Wednesday, Lincoln Junior High School in Bentonville will host an orientation for incoming seventh-graders and new-to-Bentonville eighth-graders. Read »
Next Story »
Just a reminder: Web site goes paid on Wednes...
The Web site for The Benton County Daily Record and its sister newspapers - www. nwanews.com - will undergo changes Wednesday that will require those with no subscription t... Read »
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.