Little Rock Court Docket Records
Little Rock court docket records are maintained by the Pulaski County Circuit Court and the Pulaski County District Court, covering the full range of civil, criminal, domestic, and probate cases filed in Arkansas's capital city. This guide shows you where to search case records, how to get copies, and which offices handle filings for Little Rock residents.
Little Rock Court Records Overview
Little Rock Court Docket Search Online
The fastest way to find Little Rock court docket records is through Search ARCourts, the Arkansas Judiciary's official case information portal. Pulaski County has full participation, so you can pull up docket entries, case status, party names, attorney info, and hearing dates without leaving your desk. Records go back to January 1, 2009. You can search by case number, party name, attorney, or judge.
CourtConnect is the underlying system behind Search ARCourts. Registered users get access to document images when available. Registration is free. If you need help with CourtConnect, call (501) 410-1900 opt 1 or (866) 823-5778, or email acap.help@arcourts.gov. The Arkansas Court Kiosk also provides public access terminals at select courthouses.
For electronic filing of new cases, the state uses efile.arkansas.gov. Most civil and criminal case types in Pulaski County can be filed through the eFiling system.
Note: Search ARCourts covers circuit court cases; district court records may require a separate search at the Pulaski County District Court website.
Pulaski County Circuit Court - Little Rock Cases
Little Rock is the county seat of Pulaski County, and the Pulaski County Circuit Court handles all major case types for the city. That includes felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases over $25,000, domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, support), probate, and appeals from lower courts. As the most populous county in Arkansas, Pulaski sees one of the highest case volumes in the state.
The Pulaski County Circuit and County Clerk office is located at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The County Records Department (Suite 103) is the main repository for court documents. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. They can be picked up in person or mailed via USPS, but they cannot be emailed. You can pay online, by check, or money order. Make checks payable to Circuit Clerk and mail to: Pulaski Circuit and County Clerk, County Records, 401 West Markham St Ste 103, Little Rock, AR 72201.
Court fines and fees payments go to Room 122 at the same address. Payment is accepted by credit card, money order, cash, or check. An administrative fee of $36 per year applies under Act 1296 of 1997. For child support, make checks payable to Circuit Clerk - Support Division.
The Circuit Clerk also handles petitions to seal court records. There is no filing fee to seal a record. You must have completed all parole or probation and paid all court costs, fines, and restitution. Forms are available from the Arkansas Crime Information Center. The legal authority for sealing includes Ark. Code Ann. 16-90-601, 16-90-605, 16-90-901, 16-90-906, 16-93-301, and 16-93-303.
Little Rock District Court - Pulaski County
The Pulaski County District Court is located at 3001 W. Roosevelt Rd, Little Rock, AR 72204. The phone number is 501-340-6824. Office hours are Monday through Friday. This court handles traffic citations, misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims, and civil matters up to $25,000 within Little Rock and Pulaski County.
The District Court has several specialized departments: Criminal/Traffic, Civil/Small Claims, Warrants, Special Services, Sobriety Court, and YAPP (Youthful Offender Program). The YAPP program serves young offenders and works alongside the court's Special Services division. If you have a traffic ticket or misdemeanor case in Little Rock, this is the court to contact first.
Little Rock also has a Municipal Court that handles city ordinance violations and traffic matters within city limits. The Municipal Court can be reached through the Little Rock city website.
Note: District court records are maintained at the district court office and are separate from circuit court records in CourtConnect.
How to Get Little Rock Court Record Copies
You can get copies of Little Rock court records in several ways. For circuit court records, the simplest route is to visit the County Records Department at 401 West Markham St Ste 103, Little Rock, AR 72201, during regular business hours. Staff can locate case files and provide copies on request.
Mail requests are accepted. Include the case number or party name, the type of document you need, and a check or money order for the fee. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per page for certified copies. Summons cost $2.50 each. Writs cost $20. For large orders, call ahead to confirm availability and the total cost before mailing payment.
Online document images are available through CourtConnect for registered users. Not all documents are available online, but docket sheets, orders, and judgments are often accessible for cases filed after January 2009. For older records, you will need to request copies in person or by mail.
Federal Court Docket Records in Little Rock
Little Rock is one of two cities in Arkansas that hosts a federal courthouse. The Eastern District of Arkansas has a courthouse in Little Rock, handled by the U.S. District Court. Federal cases include federal criminal prosecutions, civil litigation involving federal law or diversity of citizenship, and bankruptcy appeals.
Federal court records are available through the Eastern District of Arkansas and through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER requires registration. Public terminals at the Clerk's Office in Little Rock give free access to electronic records. Copy fees are $0.10 per page for electronic copies and $0.50 per page for copies prepared by the Clerk. Certification costs $12.00 per document plus $0.50 per page. The Clerk's Office number is 501-604-5351.
Little Rock Court Docket Filing Fees and Procedures
Filing a new civil case in Little Rock circuit court costs $165. Summons are $2.50 each. Writ service costs $20. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per certified document. These fees apply statewide under Arkansas court rules.
Cases can be filed in person at the Circuit Clerk's office, 401 West Markham Street, or electronically through efile.arkansas.gov. Most attorneys use eFiling for new civil cases. Pro se litigants (those without an attorney) can also use the eFiling system after creating an account. The Arkansas Court Kiosk has stations where you can get help with forms and filings.
Public Access and FOIA in Little Rock
Court docket records in Arkansas are generally public records under state law. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applies to government records broadly, but court records follow their own access rules under Arkansas court statutes. Most civil and criminal case files are open to the public. Some records are sealed by court order, and juvenile records are confidential.
You can learn more about FOIA procedures through Ballotpedia's Arkansas FOIA guide. For court record access specifically, the Arkansas Courts website explains what is public and what is restricted. The Administrative Office of the Courts is at 625 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-9400.
Note: Records sealed by court order, expunged records, and juvenile case files are not available for public inspection even though most docket entries are public.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources in Little Rock
If you need help understanding court records or navigating the court system, Arkansas Legal Services and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services provide free or low-cost help to qualifying residents. The Arkansas Courts Online Services page lists self-help resources and court forms. The Arkansas Court Kiosk at arcourtkiosk.org offers guided self-help for common legal matters.
The Pulaski County District Court's Special Services department also provides referrals to local programs. The court's YAPP (Youthful Offender Program) handles cases involving young adults and has its own set of resources and procedures separate from adult criminal court.