The Courts of Arkansas constitute the judicial branch of the state government of Arkansas, responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of the state. The system is structured as a hierarchical network of courts, including appellate courts and trial courts of both general and limited jurisdiction, designed to provide justice and resolve disputes.
Structure and Hierarchy
The Arkansas judicial system is primarily divided into two main tiers: appellate courts and trial courts.Appellate Courts
The appellate courts are responsible for reviewing decisions made by lower courts for legal errors.- Supreme Court of Arkansas: As the highest court in the state, the Supreme Court has final appellate jurisdiction over all cases, including civil, criminal, and probate matters. It also has original jurisdiction in certain specialized areas, such as writs of certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, and quo warranto. The Supreme Court is also responsible for regulating the practice of law in the state, including attorney admission and discipline. Its decisions are binding on all other Arkansas courts. The court consists of seven justices, elected statewide.
- Arkansas Court of Appeals: This intermediate appellate court was established in 1979 to alleviate the caseload of the Supreme Court. It hears appeals from circuit courts in various types of cases, primarily civil and criminal matters, but its decisions are subject to discretionary review by the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals typically consists of twelve judges, who hear cases in panels of three.
Trial Courts
Trial courts are where cases are initially heard, evidence is presented, and facts are determined.- Circuit Courts: These are the state's trial courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they hear a wide range of civil and criminal cases. They are organized into judicial circuits, with each circuit having one or more judges. Circuit courts have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, domestic relations (e.g., divorce, child custody, adoption), probate matters (e.g., wills, estates, guardianships), and juvenile cases. Circuit court judges are elected by the voters within their respective judicial circuits.
- District Courts: These are courts of limited jurisdiction, handling less serious civil and criminal matters. The District Court system in Arkansas has largely consolidated and replaced many historically separate city and municipal courts. District courts hear misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000, and small claims. District court judges are elected by the voters within their respective districts.