Search Saline County Civil Court Records

Saline County civil court records are filed and maintained by Circuit Clerk Myka Bono Sample at the courthouse in Benton, the county seat. Part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, the Saline County Circuit Court handles civil filings, domestic relations cases, probate matters, and civil judgments. This page explains how to find and access Saline County civil court records, what the online search system covers, and how to request copies of court documents.

Saline County Circuit Clerk Office

Circuit Clerk Myka Bono Sample leads the Saline County Circuit Clerk's office in Benton, Arkansas. The phone number is 501-303-5615. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Myka Bono Sample currently serves as 1st Vice-President of the Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association, a statewide professional organization that supports clerks across all 75 counties. This role reflects a high level of professional involvement in how court records are managed and accessed in Arkansas.

The Circuit Clerk's office in Benton maintains records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile court matters. As ex-officio county recorder, the clerk also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property instruments. This means you can come to the same office for both court case records and property recording documents. The office prepares dockets, issues summons and subpoenas, and keeps a complete archive of all proceedings before the 7th Judicial Circuit.

Saline County is one of the faster-growing counties in Arkansas, which means the civil court docket is active. Cases range from contract disputes and property claims to domestic matters and probate proceedings. The clerk's staff handles a high volume of requests. Bringing specific case information, including party names and year of filing, makes lookups faster and more efficient for everyone.

Online Access to Saline County Civil Records

Saline County has full case information available through the Search ARCourts portal, the free public case lookup tool run by the Arkansas Judiciary. Full access means that a broad range of civil cases filed in Saline County are searchable online, including civil suits, domestic relations cases, probate matters, and court judgments. The system uses the Contexte case management platform, which allows searches by party name, business name, or case number.

Search results show the filing date, case type, judicial assignment, and a log of docket activity for each case. You cannot download case documents directly from the portal, but you can use the information found there to prepare a more specific records request to the Circuit Clerk's office. The portal is available around the clock at no cost.

For cases filed before January 1, 2009, Administrative Order No. 19 requires that confidential details be redacted in any electronic version. Full access to pre-2009 records requires an in-person visit to the clerk's office in Benton. For help with the portal, call the Administrative Office of the Courts at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778. Email: acap.help@arcourts.gov.

Note: Even with full CourtConnect access, some sealed or restricted cases will not appear in online searches, as these are protected by court order or Arkansas law.

Civil Case Types in the 7th Judicial Circuit

The Saline County Circuit Court hears all civil cases within its general jurisdiction. Civil cases cover contract disputes, property disagreements, personal injury claims, and civil actions involving amounts over $25,000. The circuit court also hears appeals from the Saline County District Court on civil matters. Under Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution, which took effect in 2001, circuit courts consolidated what were previously separate civil, chancery, and probate courts into a single system with five divisions: civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile.

Domestic relations is one of the most common civil categories in Saline County. This division handles divorce petitions, custody and visitation disputes, child support orders, paternity determinations, and modifications of earlier court orders. Most domestic relations records are public. Protective orders covering information about minor children or sensitive personal data may be applied to specific portions of a file, but the case itself remains on the public docket.

Probate cases in Saline County include estate administrations, will probates, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorship matters, and name change petitions. Probate records can be useful for tracking property transfers, inheritance disputes, and historical family information. These are civil court records maintained by the same clerk's office as other civil filings.

Getting Copies of Saline County Civil Court Records

In-person requests at the Saline County Courthouse in Benton are the most direct way to get copies. Bring the names of the parties, the case number if you have it, and the approximate filing year. The clerk's staff will pull the records. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Payment is typically accepted in cash, check, or money order made payable to the Circuit Clerk.

Mail requests work for those who cannot travel to Benton. Write to Myka Bono Sample, Circuit Clerk, Saline County Courthouse, Benton, AR 72015. Include party names, case number if known, type of record, and a payment for the estimated copying cost. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 501-303-5615 before mailing to confirm current fees and get an estimated turnaround time.

For cases that show up in the Search ARCourts system, you can review case summaries and docket history online without any fee. Full document copies still require a formal request through the clerk's office. The portal does not allow users to print or download actual court filings.

Saline County District Court

Saline County has a district court in Benton that handles civil cases up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. The district court also handles misdemeanor criminal offenses and traffic violations. For civil disputes involving smaller dollar amounts, district court may be the right venue. District court records are separate from circuit court records and may have different search procedures.

Some Saline County District Court records are available through the Search ARCourts portal. For records not found online, contact the district court directly or ask the Circuit Clerk's office for guidance on where to look. The Arkansas Judiciary district court page has general information about district court jurisdiction and procedures statewide.

Public Access Laws in Saline County

Saline County civil court records are public documents under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person can review or copy these records during business hours. You do not need to state a reason or show a connection to any case. The access right covers case filings, court orders, judgments, and all public docket entries.

Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court establishes the presumption of public access and sets the rules for electronic records availability. Cases that are sealed, adoption proceedings, and juvenile matters are excluded from public access. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq., the Circuit Clerk is required to provide access to public records and process copy requests during normal business hours. Fees are capped by statute and cannot exceed the statutory limit.

Legal Resources for Saline County Residents

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents in Saline County. Services cover family law, housing, consumer debt, and other civil matters. If you are facing a civil court case without an attorney, this organization can assess whether you qualify for help.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation funds civil legal aid programs and court access tools across the state. For self-represented litigants, the Arkansas Judiciary online services page has court forms and self-help guides. The Arkansas courthouse kiosk program places free case lookup terminals inside courthouse facilities, including in central Arkansas.

Nearby Counties

Saline County is in central Arkansas, south of Little Rock. Neighboring counties also keep civil court records through their own circuit clerks.

• Pulaski County - to the north
• Grant County - to the south
• Hot Spring County - to the southwest
• Garland County - to the west
• Lonoke County - to the northeast