A basic knowledge of Arkansas courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it doesn’t hurt to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering courts in AR and Arkansas judges, keep the following in mind:

1. Courts in Arkansas include circuit, district and city courts, each with specific tasks and jurisdictions.

2. The Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and Arkansas Courts of Appeals only hear appellate cases.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Arkansas court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate Arkansas courts and judges

The circuit court in Arkansas is a jurisdiction trial court. The 23 circuit courts handle general civil, criminal, probate, domestic and juvenile cases. Many circuit courts have separate drug and juvenile court programs. Each Arkansas county contains a district court that maintains county-wide jurisdiction for misdemeanor and preliminary felony cases, small claims cases and civil cases under $5,000. City courts are operational in small communities where district courts don't maintain jurisdiction.

I recommend: Obtain information on circuit court judges by selecting the county on the Arkansas Judiciary Circuit Judge Search. Rummage through court case records, searching by case number or party name, on the Arkansas Judiciary Docket Search.

File an appeal with the Supreme Court and Arkansas Court of Appeals

The Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Arkansas appellate courts and their decisions are final. There are seven judges in Arkansas Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals has 12 judges.

I recommend: Peruse the Law Library provided by UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. Obtain biographical information on each judge in Arkansas Supreme Court.

Access records from bankruptcy courts in Arkansas

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Arkansas Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Two districts make up the Arkansas Bankruptcy court: the eastern and western districts. Each provide information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Arkansas bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain official bankruptcy forms on the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search on the Eastern District of Arkansas Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of AR courts and judges, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.