All circuits courts provide case statistical information through CourtConnect as required by Administrative Order 8. Currently, Arkansas has 77 Local District Courts with 178 departments and are served by 90 part-time judges. You must first sign up for an account. They can also hand down decisions regarding any lower court verdict that they deem necessary, including matters that directly concern the actions of court officials for any state, county, or district court. The judges that preside over District Courts are elected in general elections with similar local officials. Are civil court records public in Arkansas? However, Arkansas laws demand that the total fee be paid upfront if it exceeds $25. The search tool gives case information from the District Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, and Supreme Court. State District Courts jurisdiction may be city-wide, countywide, or extend to two or more counties. Arkansas Code Annotated 25-19-105(b)(7). Electronic copies of records may also be made available at no cost. The information retrievable from Arkansas Property Lien Records typically includes the following: In most instances, liens remain on a debtor's property until the payment of the obligation. AOC CourtConnect We are experiencing intermittent issues. Also, the filing for a civil or misdemeanor appeal costs $185. Arkansas Public Vital Records. The best records search database depends on the record the requester is interested in obtaining. If you do not have it, you can find your case number by following these steps. The judges are elected to serve an eight-year term, while the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court appoints a Chief Judge among the twelve elected Judges. In this system, the counties of Benton, Baxter, Calhoun, Boone, and Carrol provide online Arkansas civil court records for their Circuit Courts. The fact that the information is contained in employer records does not affect its confidentiality. 201 S Broadway, Ste. Meanwhile, Arkansas judgment records are also available on Arkansas CourtConnect. Circuit Courts have five divisions, namely, the Criminal Division, Civil Division, Domestic Relation Division, Probate Division, and Juvenile Division. It is important to note that Arkansas publishes a limited number of divorce records online. District Courts are the courts most limited in their jurisdictions, scope, and abilities. Records may be provided at no charge or at a reduced charge if the custodian determines that the purpose of the request is noncommercial. Additionally, the requester may take pictures and make videos of the record while it is in the custodians possession for free. You can look at Arkansas Civil Driving Violation Records online through the state's Public CourtConnect website of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) or in person at the Court Clerk's office. P.O. Grieving parties on any decision of the Court of Appeals must first seek the permission of the Supreme Court before appealing the case. You will need either the case number or party name. The first step to take when trying to obtain court records in Arkansas is to determine the court that tried the particular case requested and then approach the clerk of that court. No fees should be charged for the separation and redaction. The Court also allows limited filers to file electronically. Search Court Cases/CourtConnect; Search Land Records; Agendas & Minutes. The public can find cases by searching for a party name or by entering the case number. Interested individuals can also visit the courthouses where such cases were heard and seek the clerks assistance to search their case files and retrieve case numbers. Requestors can go online to find records of most cases using a modern case management system called CourtConnect. However, a 10 cents fee is charged for each subsequent page. Administrative Office of the Courts 625 Marshall Street Little Rock, AR 72201. Most circuit courts offer additional information through their use of Contexte. However, conducting a free public records search would depend on some factors such as the person who makes the request, the custodian of the record, how the record is stored, and the record sought. Code Book. The authority of the Local District Courts is limited to cities or counties. Due to the volume of cases that are brought before the courts, circuit courts are made up of 5 divisions: juvenile, domestic, probate, civil, and criminal. You can get Arkansas Bankruptcy Records online, by mail, or by going to the courthouse. For health or medically related FOIA requests, queries may be addressed to: Arkansas Department of Health The minutes of a grand jury private meeting can only be disclosed pursuant to law or to a court order. Residents aren't required to state a purpose when requesting public records in Arkansas. The Arkansas Court of Appeals has 12 judges, including one Chief Judge, who are all elected for an 8-year term. However, a constitutional amendment in 2001 eliminated that discrimination and merged all the cases under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts in Arkansas. Contact Us. Users can search with either the sex offender's name or by location. Little Rock AR 72209 However, not all courts are using this functionality. Some of the civil traffic infractions in Arkansas under this record include: An Arkansas citation might appear on a person's record depending on the violation. Little Rock, AR 72205 Our Terms of Service prohibit the use of CourtCaseFinder.com to determine an individual's eligibility for personal credit or employment, tenant screening, or other business transactions, or for any unlawful purposes such as stalking or harassing others. Persons who are being incarcerated for a felony are also prevented from successfully making requests for public records. The AOC Public CourtConnect system can look at basic case information from Arkansas Small Claims Records. Regardless of how the parties received it, a typical judgment record includes the litigants' names, the issued judgment, and a case history summary. Fortunately, there are established procedures to opt out of these data aggregation sites. These courts are the ones that have the fewest cases, but the cases they take are often cases of high-level state charges or cases with high monetary value. The Arkansas Supreme Court contains and acts as the Administrative Office of the Courts. Such use of CourtCaseFinder.com may subject you to civil and criminal litigation and penalties. The Act, however, restricts the public from having access to some records. Benton County also allows Benton County public records search through the County Clerk. Arkansas judgment records describe a courts decision on the facts of a criminal or civil case filed in its jurisdiction. Attorney General of Arkansas For example, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety maintains sex offender registration and information in the state. This will provide a basic way to see filings, vents and other public and criminal data. Any reason for a denial of access to records should be stated clearly. Various counties within Arkansas state also provide records for County court cases through their Circuit Courts. In Arkansas, the uncompensated workers or material suppliers for construction or building work may file a mechanic's lien to assert a claim against the property. These courts have 121 elected judges who serve for a six-year term and preside over cases brought before the courts. Arkansas law does not provide for the right of non-residents to access the records. There is also an option to view a list of sex offenders who cannot be found by location due to failure to comply with registration requirements. Arkansas Bankruptcy Records provide accounting information on individuals and businesses who have filed at the bankruptcy court because they are unable to meet their financial obligations to creditors. In order to be eligible to serve as a circuit judge, the candidate must have already been licensed to practice law in the state for a minimum of 6 years. Can I Purchase a Firearm After Having a DUI? By clicking I Agree, you acknowledge and agree to our Terms of Service, and agree not to use any information gathered through this website for any purpose under the FCRA, including but not limited to evaluating eligibility for personal credit, insurance, employment, or tenancy. Director Marty Sullivan 501-682-9400. In a Small Claims Court in Arkansas, you can recover damages to personal property, get your security deposit back, pay back a loan, or sue over a contract. Generally, judgments specify an individual's legal rights, compels a party to fulfill certain obligations, or bear the penalties for a crime, depending on the case type. The court staff will require details to search and retrieve the case record, such as the case number and litigants names. CourtConnect is the online public access to case information in Arkansas. Notice: Your use of CourtCaseFinder.com is conditioned on your full compliance with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In Arkansas, the Commissioner of State Lands is responsible for recuperating tax through selling or seeking to purchase confiscated properties. The requester would need to disclose the purpose of the request for the custodian to ascertain that it is a noncommercial purpose in the interest of the public. CourtConnect is the online public access portal to case information for courts using Contexte. Chapter 28 of the Arkansas Code addresses the state's probate regulations and prohibitions. If neither option can be reasonably carried out, an overnight mail should be sent to the requesters last known address. You further agree not to use the information provided for any unlawful purposes and you understand that we cannot confirm that information provided below is accurate or complete. Currently, there are about 28 Circuit Courts in Arkansas, with a total of 121 Circuit Court judges who are elected for a six-year term each. However, various records are held by different offices in Arkansas state counties. Using this portal, you can search these records by person, date, and case number. Court rulings of the Arkansas Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals are available on the CourtConnect platform. Click on the first icon (search by party name, business name, or case type) Yes, most court cases in Arkansas can be looked up using the CourtConnect online case management system. It aids public interest by allowing greater ease in the detection of crime. Disputes that can be tried in a small claims court include recovery of damages to personal property, loan repayment, security deposits, and suits involving contracts. The Supreme Court approved video conferencing for initial appearances, detention, plea, and sentence hearings. Absentee Voting Access Court Records Apply for a Job Contact A Department Contact State Senator or Representative Drive to Burdette Courthouse Find A School Find Medical Care Get A Marriage License Government Transparency Information Helpful Government Links Order Marriage Records Register to Vote. The requester may use the name of the parties or the case number. Section 25-19-103 of the Arkansas FOIA, enacted on February 14, 1967, stipulated that every documented record from the discharge of official duties supported by public funds are public records. Accurate results with good criminal data. In Arkansas bankruptcy records and similar recordings such as Arkansas Liens, writs, contracts and foreclosures can be made available to interested and eligible members of the public on request. Those who disagree with a small claims court judgment in Arkansas may appeal to their local Circuit Court. However, in the absence of this, the requester is under no obligation to state the purpose of their request. This cost does not include the personnel time for retrieving, searching, or copying the record. It is arranged in a tiered system with the Arkansas Supreme Court at the head, followed by the Arkansas state court of appeals. Plaintiffs seek damages and the recovery of personal property valued at less than $25,000. A video conferencing application known as Zoom is used for remote hearings in Arkansas. A requester may access these records during business hours where the custodian conducts business. Unpublished memoranda, working papers, and correspondence of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and the Attorney General. For example, filing appeals for felonies are free, while civil and misdemeanor cases cost $25. General indignities and separation for 18 months are the most typical causes of divorce in the state. The law gives the citizens of the state access to public records and meetings with certain exemptions. The features and services available are specific to each office but may include search and retrieval of Civil suits, Criminal Cases, and Records. Upon getting the record sought, the court staff shall make regular copies of the judgment record unless the requester specifically requested a certified copy. The results of bankruptcy will depend on the debtor's chosen form. It handles tort and contract disputes under $100, probate and estate disputes, and other civil proceedings. There are about 16 State District Courts with 25 full-time judges serving a four-year term each. The Arkansas Department of Health has a Vital Records Online Service that conveniently allows citizens to request public vital records like birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce certificates. After signing up, you can look at, download, and print the case and docket information you want. If the case or record is not accessible online, the best way is to visit the county court. The Office of Arkansas State Police maintains a searchable criminal background database online. Phone: (501) 340-8500, Pulaski County Sheriff Search by Person Name, Business Name or Case Type, Search for Judgments Against a Person or Business. Another way to find criminal records is through a third-party website. Thus, any resident of Arkansas, and even out-of-state residents, can obtain the judgment record provided the individual can identify the case and pay the associated costs. The counties that fall under each circuit are: Arkansas District Courts have limited jurisdiction. Public records may be available in different forms. Photo Gallery. Appeals of cases not constitutionally for the Arkansas Supreme Court are brought before the Court of Appeals. Only partial court records of Arkansas, Bradley, Desha, Lafayette, and Perry counties are currently maintained on the CourtConnect platform. Therefore, non-residents may make requests for public records in Arkansas and have the request honoured. This record is available for public perusal per the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Attorney Generals opinion does not affect a potential appeal. Which courts are available on CourtConnect? The Arkansas Code Annotated 25-19-105(a)(1A) allows every citizen of Arkansas state to inspect and copy public records. Records of undisclosed investigations of suspected criminal activity by law enforcement agencies. This guide is indented to show users how to use the AOC court connect website. If only some parts of the record are confidential, the custodian has a duty to separate and redact the confidential part. In Arkansas, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Department of Transportation (ArDOT), the state courts, and the Office of Driver Services, which is part of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), are all in charge of making and keeping these records. In most cases, it will be the office of the County Clerk or Recorder. The county charges $0.03 per page to make black and white copies of court records, while colored copies are available for $0.20 per page. The State District Courts can have their jurisdictions over two or more counties, while the Local District Courts are limited to cities or counties. Before a search can begin you will have to accept the disclaimer to proceed. Decide on the type of public record to be requested, The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile), The location of the document or person involved, The last known or current address of the registrant, Class A or B felonies that are not drug offences, Unclassified felonies with maximum sentences above ten years, Traffic offences while in possession of a commercial drivers licence. Unauthorized access, use, or modification of this computer system or of the data contained herein or in transit to/from this system may result in disciplinary action, civil penalties, and/or criminal penalties. Mechanic's lien covers unpaid labor and material expenditures associated with building projects. Online case info for most Arkansas court cases can be found at the AOC CourtConnect portal. A requester is not expected to explain the purpose of requesting a public record, and the requester has grounds to petition the agency if their request for a record is denied. Filing of appeals must be within 30 days of the docket date. This is a great add on method to use to help build a more complete background report on someone. Also, it is only available to qualified persons such as the members of the jury. The clerk of the courts provides payroll services for both courts and acts as the custodian of their records. Constitutional Amendment 80 eliminated the existence of separate courts for disputes that involve the determination of guilt and those that involve finding equity among parties to a case. Oral agreements have a limit of three years, and cases involving damages to personal properties must be filed within three years. Results are based upon available information from state, county and municipal databases, and may not include some or all of the above details. At present, there are 16 State District Courts with 67 departments and 25 judges who are elected to a four-year term each. The information on this website is taken from records made available by state and local law enforcement departments, courts, city and town halls, and other public and private sources. They can also rebuff a public record request if the requestor has pleaded guilty to or convicted for a felony and is serving time at a correctional facility. Yes, public data search in Arkansas is safe. In Arkansas, debtors who want to file for bankruptcy may do so at any bankruptcy court site that serves their residence or place of business. (800) 482-8982. The public can find cases by searching for a party name or by entering the case number. For those of you not familiar with what CourtConnect is we will explain. Criminal Records. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a comprehensive open-records law. Small claims cases in Arkansas that must involve the presence of attorneys are tried at the civil division of the District Court. But note that most statutory liens in the state are renewable before the expiration date. They can also find case numbers by searching with the date the judgment was passed. What information is available in Internal CourtConnect? The request may be either oral or in writing. There are currently seven justices of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, and serving an 8-year tenure. The cost may vary depending on the particular request and what is necessary to comply with the request. In Arkansas, many laws govern civil court judgments, and these are: To acquire judgment records in Arkansas, contact or visit the Court Clerk's office that issued the judgment. The Court of Appeals reviews decisions made by the Circuit Courts. Circuit Courts in Arkansas are courts of general jurisdiction. They try cases brought before the State District Courts involving personal properties that can be recovered at the Local District Courts with lesser monetary value. CourtConnect is how the public may access court records online for those courts in Arkansas using the software. In Arkansas, a judgment lien remains active on a debtor's property for about ten years, regardless of changes in property ownership. OWNED OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY. OWNED OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY. It should be noted that public data search on various government websites is safe. Start by accessing the search field here: CourtConnect. The exact jurisdiction of the Arkansas Court of Appeals is determined by the state's Supreme Court. The White County Courthouse was first built in 1871 and enlarged in 1912. You further agree not to use the information provided for any unlawful purposes and you understand that we cannot confirm that information provided below is accurate or complete. This order becomes legally binding when the court clerk writes the judgment record. However, only partial court records for Arkansas, Desha, Bradley, Lafayette, and Perry counties are currently accessible online. This includes home and mobile telephone numbers, personal email addresses, and home addresses of public officials who are not elected. These officers should be identified in the. These exempted records are only available to qualified persons, pursuant to a court order, and to the record subject. Finance & Administration Division Sam Kauffman 501-682-9400. The information on this website is taken from records made available by state and local law enforcement departments, courts, city and town halls, and other public and private sources. The Attorney General is required to provide an opinion within three working days and the custodian is not to disclose the record until this is done. As bankruptcy matters come within the exclusive jurisdiction of federal courts, the filing must be in a federal district court. The court schedules a date for a hearing within seven days of receiving the petition. The requester does not need to be physically present to obtain electronic copies of records. Occasionally, a copy fee may apply. They see very few actual trial cases and are mostly used for ad hoc adjudication. If this is not possible, they are to inform the requester of the reason for the delay. All documents, exhibits, recordings, and motions prepared, filed, or presented during a small claims action constitute the Arkansas Small Claims Records. . However, this cannot be said concerning public data searches on third-party sites. The FOIA was passed to deepen the confidence of Arkansans in public officials. Notwithstanding, they easily and expeditiously provide information pertaining to sex offenders, property records as well as uncertified death records, marriage records and divorce records. One State Police Plaza Dr A divorce record in Arkansas is a collection of papers outlining the divorce process. The Arkansas Court of Appeals consists of 12 judges, made up of 1 Chief Judge and 11 Judges, that were initially appointed. The Internal CourtConnect portal allows Contexte users to find information on cases using their Contexte security if they know the name of a person on the case or the Case ID. This also includes the right to photograph and video record Arkansas public records. And misdemeanor cases cost $ 25 Courts provides payroll services for both Courts and acts the. ( 1A ) allows every citizen of Arkansas, Desha, Bradley Lafayette. A Courts decision on the CourtConnect platform scope, and serving an 8-year term cases by for... 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