Flag of the State of Arkansas

The Guide to Arkansas Courts


The Arkansas trial court system consists of Circuit Courts, District Courts, and City Courts.
 
Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, but generally only handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. District Courts and City Courts have limited jurisdiction to handle certain types of civil and criminal cases.

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Please select a Arkansas county below to view directory of all courts with links to court record resources for each court. Find Arkansas court pages by Town or Zip Code. Select a court record or online resource category below to view all resources at both the statewide and county level. Go to the court records pages for another state.
 


 

Arkansas Circuit Courts

Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but typically only handle cases that are beyond the limited jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by Circuit Courts include felonies, some misdemeanors and lesser-included offenses.

Civil cases heard by Circuit Courts include general civil claims for more than $5000 and civil equity claims.

Circuit Courts also handle domestic relations, juvenile, probate and mental health cases, including divorce, child abuse and neglect, guardianships, civil commitments and the administration of estates.

Arkansas District Courts

District Courts have jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include most types of misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for all types of criminal cases. Little Rock District Court has a Traffic Court division that handles all traffic offenses committed within city limits. In areas without District Courts, a City Court may handle misdemeanors and preliminary hearings.

Each District Court has a Small Claims division for most general civil claims for less than $5000.

Arkansas City Courts

City Courts have similar jurisdiction to District Courts, including misdemeanor criminal cases and felony preliminary hearings, but likely do not offer a Small Claims division.

City Courts operate in less-populated areas that are not served by District Courts.

Where to find court cases in Arkansas

The chart below gives general information on the types of cases heard in each type of court in Arkansas.
 

Most Cases = Most or all cases.     Some Cases = Some cases.

Case Type Court Type
CivilCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
General Civil - Unlimited
Most or all General Civil - Unlimited cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
General Civil - Limited
Some General Civil - Limited cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
Most or all General Civil - Limited cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Small Claims 
Most or all Small Claims cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Civil Equity
Most or all Civil Equity cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Complex Commercial
Most or all Complex Commercial cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Foreclosures and Liens
Most or all Foreclosures and Liens cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
Some Foreclosures and Liens cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Real Estate Title and Boundary
Most or all Real Estate Title and Boundary cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Landlord / Tenant
Most or all Landlord / Tenant cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
Some Landlord / Tenant cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Ordinance Violations 
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the City Courts
Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders
Most or all Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Administrative Agency Appeals
Most or all Administrative Agency Appeals cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
CriminalCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
Felony
Most or all Felony cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Felony Preliminary Hearings
Some Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
Some Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the City Courts
Misdemeanors
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the City Courts
Ordinance Violations 
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the City Courts
Juvenile
Most or all Juvenile cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Traffic and Infractions 
Most or all Traffic and Infractions cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Traffic and Infractions cases can be found in the City Courts
Domestic RelationsCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
Divorce
Most or all Divorce cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Child Custody and Visitation
Most or all Child Custody and Visitation cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Child Support
Most or all Child Support cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Paternity
Most or all Paternity cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Domestic Violence Protection Order
Most or all Domestic Violence Protection Order cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
JuvenileCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
Adoptions
Most or all Adoptions cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Juvenile Delinquency
Most or all Juvenile Delinquency cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Child Abuse and Neglect
Most or all Child Abuse and Neglect cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Termination of Parental Rights
Most or all Termination of Parental Rights cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Children in Need of Supervision
Most or all Children in Need of Supervision cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Mental HealthCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
Involuntary Commitments
Most or all Involuntary Commitments cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Other Mental Health Cases
Most or all Other Mental Health Cases cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
ProbateCircuit CourtsDistrict CourtsCity Courts
Wills & Estates
Most or all Wills & Estates cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Name Changes
Most or all Name Changes cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Trusts
Most or all Trusts cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Most or all Guardianships and Conservatorships cases can be found in the Circuit Courts
  


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