Conway County Court Docket Search
Conway County court docket records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Clerk's office in Morrilton, the county seat, and cover circuit court cases including civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate filings as well as district court cases throughout the county. This page explains where to search records online, how to reach the clerk's office, and what fees apply for copies.
Conway County Court Records Overview
Search Conway County Court Docket Online
Conway County court docket records are available through the Search ARCourts portal, the state's free public case search tool. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system shows circuit court and district court records, including case summaries, docket sheets, and court event dates. It's updated regularly and is the fastest way to find basic case information without contacting the clerk's office.
The system runs on CourtConnect, the Arkansas court system's electronic case management platform. Conway County provides case data through this system, covering civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate matters. Active cases and recently resolved cases are typically available. For older records not yet in the electronic system, call or visit the Circuit Clerk's office in Morrilton.
The Arkansas Court Kiosk at the Morrilton courthouse lets you look up cases and print basic information without staff assistance. Kiosks are useful if you want to check on a case quickly while you're already at the courthouse.
Conway County Circuit Clerk Contact Information
The Conway County Circuit Clerk's office is at 117 South Moose Street, Morrilton, AR 72110. The phone number is (501) 354-9617. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Circuit Clerk is responsible for keeping all court records for the Conway County Circuit Court and also serves as the ex-officio recorder of deeds, maintaining land records for the county.
The clerk's office handles case filings, document requests, fee collection, and jury management. Staff can help you find a specific case in the system, pull a physical file, and process copy requests. They can answer procedural questions about what forms to use and how to file documents, but they cannot give legal advice on how to handle your case. For that, you'll need an attorney.
If you plan to visit in person, bringing the case name or number with you speeds things up considerably. For older cases stored in the archives rather than in the active system, staff may need advance notice to retrieve the file. Call ahead if you need records from many years ago.
Note: Mail requests for copies should include the case name, number, the documents you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for smaller documents.
Types of Cases Filed in Conway County
The Conway County Circuit Court hears the full range of serious legal matters in the county. This includes felony criminal cases, which carry potential sentences above one year. Felony cases start with charges and proceed through initial appearance, arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, and eventually a trial or plea. Every step is recorded in the docket.
Civil cases with amounts over $25,000 are filed in Circuit Court. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, property conflicts, and business litigation. Domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, and protective orders in cases involving serious domestic violence, are also Circuit Court filings. Probate cases, such as settling a deceased person's estate, establishing a guardianship, or contesting a will, go through the Circuit Court as well.
The Circuit Court has juvenile jurisdiction too, handling cases involving minors who are accused of delinquency or who are in need of care. Juvenile records are sealed from the public. The court also hears appeals from the Conway County District Court when someone contests the outcome of a lower court case.
Conway County District Court
The Conway County District Court handles lower-level legal matters throughout the county. Traffic citations are a large part of its caseload, along with misdemeanor criminal charges and civil claims up to $25,000. Small claims cases, where people can sue for smaller amounts without an attorney, are filed in District Court. The court also holds first appearances for people arrested in Conway County before cases move up to Circuit Court if the charges are felonies.
District Court records are often available through Search ARCourts for courts that participate in CourtConnect. You can look up traffic ticket status, misdemeanor case information, and civil filings online. Online payment for traffic fines may be available for eligible cases through the Arkansas Courts online services page.
If you receive a notice to appear in District Court and are unsure what to expect, the Arkansas Courts website has plain-language guides on common court processes. You can also call the District Court directly to ask about your specific case.
How to Get Copies of Conway County Court Records
Copies of court documents are available from the Conway County Circuit Clerk's office at 117 South Moose Street in Morrilton. You can get copies in person during business hours or by mail. In-person requests are usually the fastest. Tell the staff the case name and number, and ask for the specific documents you need. They'll calculate the fee based on the number of pages.
Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies, which carry the official court seal, cost $5 per document. Summons are $2.50 each. Writs are $20. Filing a new circuit court case costs $165 for the standard filing fee, though the amount varies by case type. These fees are set by Arkansas state law and are consistent across counties.
Docket sheets and case summary information can sometimes be printed from Search ARCourts at no charge. For actual pleadings, orders, and other filed documents from the case file, you'll need copies from the clerk's office. Electronic documents may cost less than paper copies depending on the format available.
Public Access to Court Records
Court records in Arkansas are public records under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Anyone can request and view court dockets and case files from the Conway County Circuit Clerk's office. No explanation is required, and you don't need to be a party to the case. The clerk must respond to requests promptly, typically within three business days.
Some records are not public. Juvenile court records are sealed. Adoption records are confidential. Criminal records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are restricted. In family law cases involving children, some information may be protected. The clerk will redact sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, from any copies provided to the public. For a detailed guide on Arkansas FOIA rights and procedures, see the Arkansas FOIA procedures guide.
Electronic Filing in Conway County
Attorneys in Conway County Circuit Court cases are generally required to use the Arkansas electronic filing system. This statewide platform lets attorneys file documents, pay fees, and receive court notices electronically at any time of day. E-filed documents are processed quickly and show up in the CourtConnect system soon after acceptance. This makes the docket available in near real time for anyone checking the case online.
Self-represented litigants may also use the e-filing system in some cases. Paper filing is still accepted at the Circuit Clerk's office for those without access to the electronic system. If you need help understanding how to file, the clerk's office staff can explain the process, though they cannot tell you what arguments to make or how to approach your case legally.
The Arkansas Courts website provides forms, self-help guides, and other resources for people navigating the court system on their own. These are useful starting points before you decide whether to hire an attorney.
Federal Court Records for Conway County
Federal cases involving Conway County residents are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, bankruptcy, civil rights violations, and disputes between parties from different states that exceed the jurisdictional dollar amount. Federal records are entirely separate from the state court system and are not accessible through Search ARCourts.
To access federal court records, use PACER at pacer.gov. There is a per-page fee for document access. For more information on getting copies of federal court documents, visit the Eastern District's records request page. Bankruptcy filings for Conway County residents are also in the federal court system and are accessed through PACER.
Legal Help for Conway County Residents
People in Conway County who need civil legal help and can't afford a private attorney may qualify for assistance from Legal Aid of Arkansas or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services. These nonprofits provide free legal services to qualifying low-income residents in civil matters such as family law, housing, and public benefits. Contact them directly to check eligibility.
The Arkansas Bar Association's lawyer referral service can connect you with a private attorney for matters outside legal aid's scope. Many attorneys offer a free consultation to help you assess your legal situation before committing to representation. For court forms and self-help resources, the Arkansas Courts online services page is a useful starting point.
Note: Morrilton is the largest city in Conway County and the center of county court activity. If you're traveling from a rural part of the county to reach the courthouse, call ahead to confirm the file you need is available before making the trip.