Rule 4-7 - Briefs in Postconviction and Certain Civil Appeals Where Appellant Is Incarcerated and Proceeding Pro Se(a)Style of pro se briefs. Briefs filed by self-represented parties shall substantially comply with Rules 4-1, 4-2, and 4-4 except that they may be handwritten and filed in conventional paper form. A handwritten brief shall be clearly legible, shall not exceed 30 lines per page and 15 words per line with left-hand and right-hand margins of at least 11/2 inches and upper and lower margins of at least 2 inches. The argument section of a handwritten brief shall be no longer than 30 pages. Briefs shall be of uniform size on 81/2 x 11-inch paper and firmly bound on the left-hand margin by staples or other binding devices. Typed briefs shall be double-spaced, except for quoted material, which may be single-spaced and indented. Footnotes, except quotations therein, shall be double-spaced. Use of footnotes is not encouraged and should be used sparingly. The brief need not be signed by the appellant.(b)Affidavit. If the pro se appellant is incarcerated, the brief shall also be accompanied by a notarized affidavit that the appellant has prepared it without the paid assistance of any other prison inmate. Where the appellant in a criminal appeal is entitled to representation by counsel, pro se briefs will be accepted only when the appellant has filed an affidavit stating that the appellant has knowingly and intelligently refused the services of an attorney on appeal. Such a brief shall also be accompanied by an affidavit that the appellant has prepared it without the paid assistance of any other prison inmate.(c)Noncompliance. Briefs not in substantial compliance with this Rule shall not be accepted for filing by the Clerk. When a party submits a brief on time that does not substantially comply with these Rules, the Clerk shall mark the brief "tendered," grant the party a 14-day compliance extension, and return the brief to the party for correction. If the party resubmits a compliant brief within fourteen calendar days, then the Clerk shall accept that brief for filing on the date it is received.(d)Number of briefs, time for filing, and page limitations. One copy of all conventionally filed pro se briefs shall be filed by the deadlines set forth in Rule 4-4.(e) Continuances and extensions of time. The Clerk or a deputy clerk may extend the due date of any brief by seven calendar days upon oral or letter request. If such an extension is granted, no further extension shall be granted except by the Court upon a written motion showing good cause.Ark. R. Sup. Ct. & Ct. App. 4-7
Amended and effective by per curiam order5/11/2017; amended and effective by per curiam order6/21/2018; amended and effective 12/17/2020.