Yell County Court Docket Records
Yell County court docket records are split between two courthouse locations, one in Danville for the Eastern District and one in Dardanelle for the Western District, making it one of the few dual-seat counties in Arkansas. The Circuit Clerk maintains civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate case files at both locations, and cases can be searched online through the Arkansas CourtConnect system.
Yell County Court Records Overview
Yell County Dual Courthouse Locations
Yell County is one of a small number of Arkansas counties with two official county seats and two courthouse locations. The county is divided into Eastern and Western judicial districts, each with its own courthouse. Understanding which district applies to your case is important for knowing where to file and where to request records.
The Eastern District courthouse is located at 100 Court Square, Danville, AR 72833. The phone number for the Eastern District is (479) 495-4850. This location serves the eastern portion of Yell County and handles Circuit Court and District Court cases for that area. Danville is the traditional county seat in official state designations.
The Western District courthouse is located at 309 N 2nd Street, Dardanelle, AR 72834. The phone number for the Western District is (479) 229-4404. This location serves the western portion of the county and maintains its own set of case files for cases filed in that district. Dardanelle sits on the Arkansas River and serves a different geographic area than Danville.
Both locations maintain records for Circuit Court matters: criminal, civil, probate, and domestic relations. District Courts also have divisions in both Danville and Dardanelle. Municipal courts in each city handle ordinance violations specific to those municipalities. When searching for a Yell County case, knowing which part of the county the case originated in will help you identify the right courthouse to contact.
Note: When searching CourtConnect for Yell County cases, cases from both districts are included in the search results. The docket entry will indicate which district and courthouse the case is filed in.
Search Yell County Court Docket Online
The Arkansas CourtConnect system is the primary online tool for searching Yell County court docket records. It covers both the Danville and Dardanelle courthouses and lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. No account or fee is needed for a basic search. Results show the district, case type, filing date, and a list of docket events.
To search, visit the Arkansas CourtConnect case search portal and select Yell County from the county dropdown. Cases from both districts appear in the results. Each result shows the assigned courthouse and judge division, so you can see at a glance whether a case is from the Eastern or Western District. Clicking on a case opens the full docket with dates, events, and in some cases viewable documents.
The Arkansas Courts website has additional resources including court directories, legal aid information, and links to self-help tools that apply to Yell County. The CourtConnect program page explains how the system is structured and what each county makes available through the portal.
Yell County Circuit Court Record Types
The Yell County Circuit Court handles the full range of general jurisdiction cases for both districts. Felony criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits exceeding $25,000, domestic relations matters, probate and estate proceedings, and appeals from the District Court all come before the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk maintains records for all of these case types at the respective district courthouse.
Civil docket records capture the full history of each civil case, from initial complaint through judgment and any post-judgment enforcement actions. This includes everything from contract disputes and personal injury claims to mortgage foreclosures and mechanics' liens. If you need to confirm whether a judgment has been entered against a person or business in Yell County, the Circuit Court civil docket is where to look.
Criminal docket records in Yell County show each step of a felony prosecution, from the charging document through arraignment, hearings, plea, and sentencing. The docket also reflects any appeals and post-conviction filings like motions to modify sentence or petitions for expungement. Domestic relations records document divorce proceedings, custody orders, child support calculations, and protective orders. Probate records follow each estate from the filing of a will or petition through the final closing order.
Court access rules are the same across both Yell County districts. Records are public under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-10-301 and Administrative Order No. 19. Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption cases, sealed matters, and expunged records. Copy fees are $0.50 per page non-certified and $5.00 for certification. Filing a new case costs $165.00, and these are standard statewide rates.
Yell County District Court Records
Yell County has District Court divisions in both Danville and Dardanelle. Each division handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil disputes involving amounts up to $25,000 for its geographic area. Small claims cases also go through the District Court. Records are maintained at the respective courthouse location in each district.
District Court docket records include traffic citations, misdemeanor case filings, small claims judgments, and protective orders. If you received a traffic ticket or misdemeanor citation in the eastern part of Yell County, the record would be at the Danville courthouse. If the citation was in the western part of the county, the record would be at the Dardanelle courthouse. Municipal courts in Danville and Dardanelle separately handle city ordinance violations that do not rise to the level of a state charge.
Some Yell County District Court data may appear in CourtConnect. For the most reliable access to a specific District Court case, contacting the appropriate courthouse directly is the best approach. Use (479) 495-4850 for Eastern District matters in Danville and (479) 229-4404 for Western District matters in Dardanelle.
How to Get Yell County Court Records
Yell County court records can be obtained online through CourtConnect, in person at either courthouse location, or by mail. Because Yell County has two courthouses, knowing which district your case is in will save time when you make an in-person or mail request. CourtConnect searches cover both districts automatically.
For in-person requests, go to the courthouse for the district where the case was filed. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 per certification. Mail requests should include payment by check or money order and a return envelope. Allow processing time, especially for older or archived files.
Attorneys and eligible filers can submit documents electronically through the Arkansas eFiling portal. Electronic filings appear in CourtConnect once processed by the clerk's office. Self-service options through the Arkansas Court Kiosk network may be available at one or both Yell County courthouse locations for payments and case status checks.
The Arkansas Courts online services page has forms, legal aid resources, and payment tools that apply to Yell County filers. For public records access questions beyond the court system, the Arkansas FOIA procedures guide covers the general framework. Federal court matters are handled through the federal system and records are available through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Legal Framework for Yell County Court Access
Court records in Yell County are public under Arkansas law. Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-10-301 et seq. establishes the right of public access to court records, and Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19 sets the specific rules for what records are open, restricted, or sealed. These rules apply to both the Danville and Dardanelle courthouse locations equally.
Most civil, criminal, and probate records in both Yell County districts are open to the public. Restricted records include juvenile court files, adoption records, sealed criminal matters, mental health cases, and expunged records. If you request a sealed or restricted record, the clerk will inform you of the restriction and you would need a court order to gain access.
The dual-courthouse structure of Yell County does not create any special access rules. The same state standards apply to both districts. If you are researching a case and are unsure which district it is in, a CourtConnect search will show you which location holds the file, and you can then contact the right courthouse for copies or additional information.
Note: Expunged records are removed from the public docket even if they were previously accessible online. If you search CourtConnect and cannot find a case that you know existed, it may have been expunged by court order.