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Practice Areas in Arkansas
Counties in Arkansas
Browse 75 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Arkansas
The Arkansas court system operates on three main levels, designed to handle everything from minor infractions to major felonies and complex civil matters. At the foundation are the trial courts, which include District Courts handling misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and preliminary hearings for felonies, plus Circuit Courts that manage felony cases, major civil lawsuits, family law matters, and appeals from District Courts. Circuit Courts serve as the primary trial courts for serious legal matters throughout Arkansas counties. The middle tier consists of the Arkansas Court of Appeals, established in 1978 to help manage the appellate caseload and provide an intermediate review of trial court decisions. This court typically handles civil appeals, workers compensation cases, and some criminal matters, though certain serious cases can bypass this level. At the top sits the Arkansas Supreme Court, the highest court in the state with seven justices serving eight-year terms. This court handles appeals from the Court of Appeals, death penalty cases, attorney discipline matters, and constitutional questions. What makes Arkansas distinctive is its unified court system structure and the fact that all judges are elected rather than appointed. The state also maintains specialized courts like drug courts and veterans courts in some jurisdictions. For official information about Arkansas courts, visit the Arkansas Judiciary website at courts.arkansas.gov.
Major Courts in Arkansas
The most significant courts in Arkansas handle the majority of serious legal matters across the state. The Pulaski County Circuit Court in Little Rock serves as one of the busiest courts, managing major criminal cases, complex civil litigation, and family law matters for the largest county in Arkansas. The Washington County Circuit Court in Fayetteville handles significant cases in Northwest Arkansas, including the growing Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metropolitan area. Sebastian County has two major circuit courts: the Fort Smith Division handles western Sebastian County including Fort Smith, while the Greenwood Division serves eastern areas, both managing felony criminal cases and major civil disputes. The Benton County Circuit Court in Bentonville serves one of the fastest-growing regions in Arkansas and handles increasing caseloads including complex business litigation. Jefferson County Circuit Court in Pine Bluff manages cases for the Arkansas River Valley region and handles significant criminal and civil matters. The Craighead County Circuit Court in Jonesboro serves Northeast Arkansas and manages major cases for this agricultural and educational hub. At the appellate level, the Arkansas Court of Appeals in Little Rock reviews cases from trial courts statewide, while the Arkansas Supreme Court, also in Little Rock, serves as the final authority on Arkansas law. These courts form the backbone of the Arkansas judicial system and handle the most important legal matters affecting Arkansas residents.
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