Search Civil Court Records in Jonesboro

Civil court records in Jonesboro are maintained by the Craighead County Circuit Clerk in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Jonesboro is Craighead County's seat, so the main courthouse is right in the city. Whether you need to look up a civil case, find a judgment, or get copies of filed documents, the Craighead County system covers it. This page explains each step, from the circuit court to the district court and federal options.

Craighead County Circuit Clerk

The primary source for civil court records in Jonesboro is the Craighead County Circuit Clerk's office. The clerk is David Vaughn. The Jonesboro office is at 511 South Main Street, Suite 200, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Phone: (870) 933-4530. Fax: (870) 933-4534. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is also a Lake City office at 107 Cobean Boulevard, Lake City, AR 72437, phone (870) 237-4342, for the county's other division.

The Circuit Clerk maintains all circuit court records for civil, criminal, domestic, and juvenile cases in Craighead County. Civil cases in Jonesboro include negligence claims, bad faith disputes, fraud, malpractice, foreclosures, quiet title actions, unlawful detainer, name changes, and foreign judgments. Copy services are available at the courthouse. Standard copy fees run $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00.

Visit the Craighead County civil court records page for a full breakdown of county-level offices and procedures.

Online Search for Jonesboro Civil Cases

Craighead County civil case records are searchable online through Arkansas CourtConnect at no cost. Search by party name, case number, or date. For cases filed from August 1, 2018 forward, the ARCourts search tool provides the most complete results. Archived records from September 1994 through July 31, 2018 are available through a separate portal but may have less detail.

Online results include party names, case type, filing date, hearing information, and disposition. Full documents must be requested at the Circuit Clerk's office. If you are researching a civil case from before 1994, an in-person visit to the Jonesboro courthouse is the best option.

Jonesboro District Court

The Craighead County District Court in Jonesboro is at 410 W. Washington Avenue, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Phone: (870) 933-4508. Fax: (870) 933-4582. This court handles civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims cases up to $5,000. Misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony matters also go through district court. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Jonesboro Municipal Court is also at 410 W. Washington Avenue and handles city ordinance violations and traffic citations within Jonesboro city limits. Records from municipal court proceedings can be found through the City Clerk at 300 E. Highland Drive. Phone: (870) 932-0200. Appeals from municipal court go to the Craighead County Circuit Court. Civil matters above $25,000 go directly to Circuit Court.

Note: Online record search for district court cases filed after August 1, 2018 is available through the Arkansas CourtConnect system.

Federal Court for Jonesboro

Jonesboro is served by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, which has a division in Jonesboro. Federal civil cases for northeast Arkansas including Jonesboro go through this division. The main Eastern District office is at 500 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-604-5351. Federal civil matters include civil rights cases, federal agency disputes, and diversity jurisdiction cases over $75,000. Records from the Eastern District are available through the Eastern District website and through PACER. PACER charges $0.10 per page for electronic documents.

Types of Civil Cases in Jonesboro

The Craighead County Circuit Court handles a wide range of civil cases for Jonesboro residents. Common case types include negligence and personal injury claims, bad faith insurance disputes, fraud and misrepresentation claims, professional malpractice, mortgage foreclosure, quiet title actions, unlawful detainer (eviction), name change petitions, and enforcement of foreign judgments from other states.

Each case type has its own rules for how it is filed and what documents are required. The Circuit Clerk's office can tell you what forms apply to your case type, but staff cannot advise you on how to proceed legally. For guidance on filing a civil case in Jonesboro, contact Arkansas Legal Aid or a licensed attorney in Craighead County.

How to Get Jonesboro Civil Court Records

There are three main ways to get civil court records in Jonesboro. In person, go to 511 S. Main Street, Suite 200, Jonesboro. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring the case number or party names to speed up the search. Online, use CourtConnect to find case data for free. By mail, send a written request to the Circuit Clerk with the case details and a check for copy fees. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00. All civil court records are presumed public under Arkansas FOIA and Administrative Order No. 19 unless a court has sealed the file.

Legal Aid and Resources

Arkansas Legal Aid can help Jonesboro residents with civil legal matters if you meet income limits. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports programs that help people get civil legal help. The Arkansas Circuit Courts page explains how circuit courts are divided and what kinds of civil cases each division handles.

Nearby Cities

Jonesboro is the main qualifying city in Craighead County. There are no other cities at this population level within the same county. Cities in nearby counties with their own pages include Little Rock to the southwest and Pine Bluff in Jefferson County.