Residents of Faulkner County, Arkansas can find publicly available information about court cases through FaulknerCourt.us, which offers a convenient way to look up court docket details. Additional access points include the statewide Search ARCourts portal, the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk's office, the District Court clerk's office, and public-access terminals located at the courthouse in Conway.
Faulkner Court System & Jurisdictions
Faulkner County is part of Arkansas's 20th Judicial Circuit. Two primary courts handle cases that originate in the county:
Circuit Court
The Faulkner County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It hears:
- Criminal division — felonies and some misdemeanor appeals
- Civil division — lawsuits exceeding the District Court's monetary limit, contract disputes, real property actions, and equity matters
- Domestic relations — divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and guardianship
- Probate — estates, wills, and conservatorships
- Juvenile division — delinquency, dependency-neglect, and families in need of services (FINS)
The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all Circuit Court records. Since June 2016, electronic filing has been in effect, and court records dating back to January 1, 2009 are available online through the state's public court records system.
District Court
The Faulkner County District Court is staffed by two elected District Judges, two head court clerks, and additional deputy clerks and special-service officers. This court handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases — DWI/DUI, theft, assault, and other misdemeanors
- Traffic violations — speeding, reckless driving, license infractions
- Small claims — civil disputes up to $5,000 under Arkansas law
- Civil cases — claims within the District Court's statutory monetary jurisdiction
- Preliminary felony hearings — initial appearances and bond hearings before cases are bound over to Circuit Court
If you are unsure which court holds the docket you need, start by searching the statewide case-search portal, which covers both Circuit and District Court filings across Arkansas.
Faulkner Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Faulkner County can be located through several channels:
- Search ARCourts — Visit the Arkansas Judiciary case search to look up a specific case by name or case number. Individual case entries typically display upcoming hearing dates, continuances, and past proceedings.
- District Court — Contact the Faulkner County District Court directly for today's or this week's docket. The court's clerks can confirm scheduled hearing times and courtroom assignments.
- Circuit Clerk's office — For Circuit Court calendars, call or visit the Circuit Clerk at the Faulkner County Courthouse in Conway. Staff can provide docket sheets for specific dates or divisions.
- In-person terminals — Public-access computer terminals at the courthouse allow visitors to review the day's docket and look up case scheduling information.
Docket schedules can change due to continuances, plea agreements, or judicial reassignments. Confirm hearing times with the appropriate clerk's office on the day of the proceeding, especially if you are a party or witness.
How to Get a Copy of a Faulkner Court Document
Court documents in Faulkner County are available in both certified and uncertified formats. The process depends on the court that handled the case and how you plan to request the record.
Online
The Search ARCourts platform links to documents for some public court records, allowing users to view actual filings. Not every document is available online — sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain domestic-relations filings may be restricted.
In Person
Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Faulkner County Courthouse:
Faulkner County Circuit Clerk
Ask the clerk whether the record you need is a Circuit Court or District Court filing. Bring the case number if you have it — this speeds up retrieval considerably.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Case number (if known)
- Type of document requested
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk)
FOIA Requests
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, citizens may submit a records request to access records maintained by Faulkner County government offices. Court records that are already designated as public are generally available; however, records sealed by court order or restricted by statute are not subject to FOIA disclosure.
What May Be Restricted
- Juvenile case records
- Sealed criminal records (expunged or sealed by court order)
- Adoption records
- Certain mental health and dependency-neglect filings
- Records involving victims of sexual offenses (identifying details)
Faulkner Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Arkansas are established by state statute and local administrative orders. The table below reflects standard fees commonly charged by Arkansas circuit and district clerks. Contact the Faulkner County Circuit Clerk to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 and up |
| Certificate of no record | $5.00 |
| Search fee (per name searched) | Varies; contact clerk |
| Online case document viewing | Free (via Search ARCourts) |
Payment methods: The clerk's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail requests. Some Arkansas courts also accept credit or debit cards at the counter; confirm with the clerk before your visit. Online payment options for other county services are available through the Faulkner County website, but court-record fees are typically handled directly by the clerk's office.
Fees cited above are based on standard Arkansas statutory fee schedules (Ark. Code Ann. § 21-6-306 and related provisions). Actual charges may differ slightly based on document length, certification requirements, or administrative orders specific to the 20th Judicial Circuit. Always verify the exact amount with the clerk before mailing payment.