Court records in Crittenden County, Arkansas, are maintained by the clerk of the circuit court and the district court clerk and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. CrittendenCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Crittenden County. You can also search cases through the Arkansas Judiciary case search portal, visit the clerk's office in person, or contact the court directly for records not available online.
Crittenden Court System Overview
Crittenden County is part of the Second Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, which also includes St. Francis County. The circuit court in Crittenden County handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile proceedings. A separate Crittenden County District Court operates with departments in both West Memphis and Earle, handling misdemeanors, small claims, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings. The county seat is Marion, though court operations also take place in West Memphis. The Crittenden County Courthouse is located at:
Courts Serving Crittenden
Crittenden County Circuit Court
Crittenden County District Court – West Memphis Department
Crittenden County District Court – Earle Department
City of West Memphis District Court (Municipal)
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Arkansas
Crittenden County falls within the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jonesboro Division.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Arkansas
What Types of Cases Crittenden Courts Hear
Courts in Crittenden County handle a wide range of case types across the circuit and district courts. These include:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and infractions
- Traffic violations and DUI/DWI
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims disputes
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protection orders
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile matters — delinquency and dependency-neglect
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
The sections below explain which court handles each type and how jurisdiction is divided.
District Court Cases in Crittenden
The Crittenden County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal cases after charges are filed by the prosecuting attorney, civil lawsuits exceeding the district court's jurisdictional limit, appeals from the district court, and post-conviction proceedings such as Rule 37 petitions. Circuit judges in the Second Judicial Circuit preside over these matters. Cases typically arrive through information or indictment for criminal matters, or by complaint filing for civil cases. The circuit court also handles all domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases. Assignment orders from the Arkansas Supreme Court may reassign judges when conflicts or scheduling issues arise.
Magistrate Court Cases in Crittenden
The Crittenden County District Court functions as the limited-jurisdiction court, similar to what other states call a magistrate court. It handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and infractions
- Preliminary hearings for felony charges
- Civil cases up to $25,000 (the statutory limit under Arkansas law)
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Traffic violations, including speeding and equipment offenses
- DUI/DWI arraignments and hearings
The district court operates two departments — one in West Memphis and one in Earle — to serve the geographic spread of the county. District court judges handle high volumes of traffic and misdemeanor cases. Small claims cases follow simplified procedures and typically do not require an attorney.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Crittenden
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the Crittenden County Circuit Court. Parties can obtain required court forms through the Arkansas Judiciary website. Domestic relations cases follow the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure and any applicable local rules of the Second Judicial Circuit.
Probate
The circuit court also handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. Probate filings are made through the circuit clerk's office in Marion. Guardianship cases involving incapacitated adults or minors require specific statutory notice and hearing procedures under the Arkansas Probate Code.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency proceedings under the Arkansas Juvenile Code and dependency-neglect cases under the Child Welfare Act — are heard by the circuit court. Juvenile records are confidential under Arkansas law and are not available through public case search tools. Contact the circuit clerk's office for questions about juvenile proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Crittenden Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest, citation, or prosecutorial filing. Civil cases start with a complaint filed with the clerk. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Case assignment: The clerk assigns the case to a judge. In the circuit court, cases are distributed among the circuit judges of the Second Judicial Circuit.
- Initial hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment, where charges are read and a plea is entered. Civil cases receive a scheduling order or initial conference date.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may negotiate plea agreements. Civil cases may involve mediation.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to bench or jury trial, or resolve through plea, settlement, dismissal, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from district court go to circuit court; appeals from circuit court go to the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Crittenden
The courts in Crittenden County are administered under the Second Judicial Circuit. The administrative judge for the circuit oversees scheduling, case management, and judicial assignments. A trial court administrator supports daily operations.
Local rules for the Second Judicial Circuit govern motion practice, continuances, and scheduling procedures. These rules supplement the statewide Arkansas Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure. Contact the circuit clerk's office in Marion for copies of current local rules.
Public Access
Most court records in Arkansas are considered public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Arkansas Administrative Order No. 19, which governs access to court records. Exceptions include:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Adoption records
- Records subject to protective orders
You can search public case information online through Search ARCourts, which provides case details, party names, hearing dates, and some filed documents. Not all records are available electronically — older or sensitive filings may require an in-person visit or written request to the clerk.
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely; contact the clerk's office to ask about electronic hearing availability in a specific case.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Crittenden
- Online case search: Use Search ARCourts to look up case information, party names, filing dates, and some court documents for Crittenden County cases.
- Court forms and self-help: The Arkansas Judiciary court forms page provides downloadable forms for civil, criminal, domestic, and probate filings.
- District court directory: Find contact information for the Crittenden County District Court on the Arkansas Judiciary website.
- Clerk of court / public records requests: For certified copies, case file reviews, or records not available online, contact the Crittenden County Circuit Clerk at (870) 739-4434 or visit the courthouse in Marion during business hours.
- Arkansas Department of Correction inmate search: The ADC Inmate Search allows you to look up individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities.
- Sex offender registry: The Arkansas Sex Offender Notification System lets you search by name, address, city, or county for registered offenders.
- Unclaimed property: The Arkansas Auditor's unclaimed property search can help locate funds held by the state that may be connected to court judgments or estates.
- Additional help: CrittendenCourt.us provides additional guidance for locating Crittenden County court records and understanding local court procedures.