Arkansas County Civil Court Records

Arkansas County civil court records are held by the Circuit Clerk across two courthouse locations in DeWitt and Stuttgart. This page explains how to search case filings, request copies, and find court documents for civil matters filed in Arkansas County, whether you need recent case data or older records stored on-site.

Arkansas County Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Sarah Merchant oversees court records for Arkansas County from two courthouses. The DeWitt office, located at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042, is the main mailing address for the office. The Stuttgart location sits at 312 S. College, Stuttgart, AR 72160. Both offices share the main line at (870) 946-4321, and you can also reach the DeWitt location at (870) 659-2102 or the Stuttgart side at (870) 659-2080. Office hours at both sites run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Circuit Clerk is the keeper of all civil court records in Arkansas County. That means filings, dockets, orders, judgments, and case files from the civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile divisions all pass through this office. The Clerk also serves as the county recorder, so deeds, mortgages, liens, and property instruments are on file here as well. If you need a certified copy of a judgment or want to check whether a civil case has been decided, this office is your starting point.

Arkansas County is one of a small number of Arkansas counties with two county seats. Cases are filed based on where the event or transaction occurred, with the DeWitt courthouse covering the eastern district and Stuttgart covering the western district. When you contact the office, it helps to know which district your case falls under so staff can direct you to the right records location.

The Arkansas Association of Counties lists contact details and clerk information for all 75 county circuit clerks in Arkansas, including Arkansas County. That resource is useful if you need to verify clerk contact details or find out who currently holds the position.

Search Arkansas County Civil Court Records Online

The Arkansas Judiciary operates Search ARCourts, the state's public portal for case information. Arkansas County is listed among the counties with partial information available. That means some case data is searchable online, but not all records have been entered into the statewide system. You can search by party name, business name, or case number at no cost.

Cases filed before January 1, 2009 require that any confidential details be redacted when viewed online under Administrative Order No. 19. Very old records, particularly those filed before the county joined the Contexte case management system, may not appear online at all. For those, you will need to visit the courthouse or send a written request.

The ARCourtKiosk program for Arkansas County gives you access to case types including felony criminal, divorce, custody, child support, eviction, contract disputes, and other civil disputes. Kiosks are set up at both the DeWitt and Stuttgart courthouses. They offer a free way to look up cases on-site without waiting for clerk assistance. If you need help with the system, the Administrative Office of the Courts can be reached at (501) 410-1900 (option 1) or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Note: If you cannot find a case online, contact the Circuit Clerk directly at (870) 946-4321 before assuming the record does not exist. Staff can confirm whether the file is available and how to request it.

Types of Civil Cases in Arkansas County Circuit Court

Arkansas County Circuit Court hears civil cases under the civil division created by Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. This division covers disputes where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000, including breach of contract claims, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, and negligence actions. The civil division also handles appeals from the district courts below it.

Other divisions of the circuit court generate records that overlap with civil matters. The domestic relations division handles divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony cases. The probate division covers wills, estates, guardianships, name changes, and conservatorships. All of these are considered civil proceedings and their records are held by the Circuit Clerk. If you are searching for a divorce decree or a probate filing, you request those through the same office as any other civil record.

Contract disputes and property-related civil suits are among the most common filings in a county like Arkansas County, where agriculture and land ownership are central economic activities. Disputes over farmland boundaries, water rights, and business contracts do come before the circuit court. Records of those proceedings are public and can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk in either DeWitt or Stuttgart.

How to Get Copies of Civil Court Records

There are three ways to get copies of civil court records from Arkansas County: in person, by mail, or online. Each method has different speeds and requirements.

In person is the fastest option. Go to either the DeWitt courthouse at 101 Court Square or the Stuttgart courthouse at 312 S. College during business hours. Staff can pull the file, print copies at $0.25 per page, and certify copies for $5.00 each. Bring payment and any case information you have, such as the case number, party names, or approximate filing year. The older the record, the more identifying details you will need.

Mail requests take longer but work well if you cannot travel. Write to the Circuit Clerk at 101 Court Square, DeWitt, AR 72042. Include the names of the parties, the case number if you have it, the year filed, and a check or money order for copying fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned by mail. Processing times vary, so call ahead at (870) 946-4321 to estimate turnaround.

The Arkansas County Circuit Clerk website may provide additional contact details and links to online resources for the office. Online access through Search ARCourts is free and available around the clock for cases that have been entered into the system.

Arkansas County District Court Civil Records

Arkansas County District Court handles civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. These courts also hear misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance matters. District court records are separate from circuit court records, though both are public under Arkansas law.

Small claims court is designed for disputes where the amount is modest and the parties want a quick resolution without complex legal procedure. Both individuals and businesses can file small claims cases. The filing fees are lower than circuit court, and cases are typically heard faster. For claims between $5,001 and $25,000, the standard district court civil process applies. Records from district courts may be available through the statewide CourtConnect portal or by contacting the district court directly.

Note: District court records for older cases or smaller municipal courts may not be available online. Contact the Circuit Clerk or the individual district court for assistance locating those files.

Public Access and Arkansas Law

Arkansas law treats most court records as public documents. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, found at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records, including court filings. You do not need to state a reason or show that you have a personal interest in the case.

Administrative Order No. 19, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court, sets the rules for electronic access to court records. Under this order, records are presumed public unless a specific law or court order says otherwise. Sealed cases, juvenile records, adoption proceedings, and certain mental health records are not available to the general public. When a case is sealed, it does not appear in online searches and cannot be retrieved through a standard records request.

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. covers access to court records more specifically and establishes the framework that circuit clerks use when responding to record requests. These statutes work together with Administrative Order No. 19 to define what is accessible and how clerks must respond to requests. In Arkansas County, as in all 75 counties, the Circuit Clerk follows these rules when providing access to civil court records.

Legal Resources in Arkansas County

If you need help understanding a civil court case or finding legal representation, several resources are available. Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal aid to low-income individuals across the state, including residents of Arkansas County. They can help with a range of civil matters including housing, family law, and consumer issues.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation supports legal aid programs statewide and can connect you with resources if you are representing yourself in a civil case. The Arkansas Judiciary also provides some self-help materials through its online services page. Forms and instructions for common civil proceedings may be found there.

The courthouse kiosks in Arkansas County let you look up your own case, check hearing dates, and print basic case information at no cost. These are located inside the DeWitt and Stuttgart courthouses during regular business hours.

Nearby Counties

Arkansas County borders several other counties in the Arkansas Delta region. Each has its own Circuit Clerk and civil court records system.

• Desha County - to the south
• Prairie County - to the north
• Lonoke County - to the northwest
• Monroe County - to the northeast
• Jefferson County - to the west