The Arkansas Supreme Court has uncovered significant irregularities involving the administration of the Arkansas Bar Examination, raising serious questions about the integrity of the state’s attorney licensing process and the oversight of public records.
Following an internal review, the Court announced that criminal charges have been filed against Nancie Givens, the former Executive Director of the Court’s Office of Professional Programs. Givens faces 65 counts of tampering with a public record under Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-54-121.
The charges stem from allegations that bar examination scores were improperly altered and files were deleted in an effort to conceal the activity. The investigation involves multiple bar exam administrations dating back to July 2020.
For anyone who depends on the legal system, the integrity of the process matters. Allegations of misconduct within an institution responsible for overseeing attorney licensing raise important concerns about transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the administration of justice.
"The Supreme Court of Arkansas has now said in writing what the public needed to hear: criminal charges have been filed over altered Arkansas Bar Examination scores and the deletion of records meant to hide it. Those charges are allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent. But the scope the Court described, approximately 11,400 files deleted or unavailable and discrepancies across at least eight test administrations, is not a footnote. Everyone who was told they passed, and everyone who was told they didn’t, deserves a complete and accurate accounting. We will be watching for it."
Arkansas Supreme Court Review Uncovers Thousands of Missing Files
The investigation began after Givens resigned from her position in February 2026. Robert Brech, Executive Director of the Court’s Office of Professional Conduct, was subsequently directed to supervise the Office of Professional Programs, which oversees the Arkansas Bar Examination.
During his review of the office’s records and operations, Brech discovered that approximately 11,400 files had been deleted or made unavailable in early January 2026.
Many of the missing records involved bar examination applications, candidate profiles, and score sheets. Under Arkansas Supreme Court rules, these records were required to be retained for 25 years.
Further examination of the remaining records revealed discrepancies involving examination scores across at least eight testing administrations between July 2020 and July 2025.
The findings were referred to state and federal authorities, prompting a criminal investigation by the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in April 2026.
Allegations Involve Altered Bar Exam Scores and Improper Changes to Results
According to the Supreme Court’s announcement, evidence indicates that examination scores may have been manipulated by transferring points from some examinees to others within the same testing administration.
In some instances, these alleged changes elevated examinees’ scores to the minimum passing score of 270 or higher.
The review also identified potentially serious discrepancies in the other direction. At least one examinee who may have otherwise passed the examination allegedly had their score reduced to a failing grade.
In another instance, the individual who should have received the highest score on the examination allegedly had their score lowered, resulting in another examinee being recognized as the top scorer.
If proven, these allegations would represent a significant breach of trust within the institution responsible for administering the state’s attorney licensing examination.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the vast majority of individuals previously notified that they passed the Arkansas Bar Examination did, in fact, pass. Individuals potentially affected by the discrepancies will be notified once their examination status is definitively confirmed.
65 Criminal Charges Filed Against Former Arkansas Court Official
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial District has filed 65 criminal counts of tampering with a public record against Givens.
The charges relate to the alleged alteration of examination scores and deletion of records connected to the Arkansas Bar Examination.
Separately, the Supreme Court referred Givens to its Office of Professional Conduct for an investigation into potential violations of the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct.
It is important to recognize that these are allegations, and Givens is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
State and federal authorities continue to investigate the matter, including efforts to recover missing data and determine the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
What Happens Next in the Arkansas Bar Exam Investigation?
The Arkansas Supreme Court has stated that it is committed to transparency and corrective action while cooperating with state and federal investigators.
Several steps are already underway:
Recovery of missing records: Authorities are working to recover deleted files and electronic communications to better understand what occurred.
Review of examination results: The Court is examining testing administrations dating from July 2020 through July 2025 to identify potentially affected examinees.
Notification of affected individuals: Examinees whose results may have been impacted will receive notice once their status is definitively confirmed.
Additional security measures: New testing procedures and safeguards were implemented beginning with the February 2026 administration of the Arkansas Bar Examination.
The Court has indicated that additional disclosures will be made as appropriate, while protecting the integrity of ongoing criminal and administrative investigations.
Why Accountability and Transparency Matter in the Legal System
The allegations surrounding the Arkansas Bar Examination extend beyond questions about individual examination scores. They raise broader concerns about the oversight of public institutions and the responsibility of those entrusted with maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.
People turn to the legal system during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Whether they are pursuing justice after a serious accident, seeking accountability for negligence, or protecting their family’s future, they depend on a system that operates fairly and responsibly.
That trust requires accountability at every level.
At Shamieh Law, we believe every person deserves to be treated with fairness, respect, and honesty when seeking justice. Maintaining public confidence in the legal system means taking allegations of misconduct seriously, conducting thorough investigations, and holding individuals accountable when wrongdoing is established.
As the Arkansas investigation continues, the recovery of missing records and a full accounting of potentially affected examination results will be important steps toward restoring confidence in the process.
