Columbia County, AR Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Columbia County Circuit Court in Magnolia serves as the county's trial court for felony, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate cases in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, local ordinance, small claims, and civil matters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Columbia County Circuit Court (Thirteenth Judicial Circuit) |
| Main Address | 1 Court Square, Magnolia, AR 71753 (Circuit Clerk) |
| Main Phone | 870-235-3700 |
| Website | arcourts.gov |
| Judicial Officers | 6 circuit judges: Hon. David Graham (Division 1); Hon. Mary Thomason (Division 2); Hon. Ryan Phillips (Division 3); Hon. John Thomas Shepherd (Division 4); Hon. David Talley, Jr. (Division 5); Hon. Gary Burbank (Division 6) |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 listed location (Magnolia) |
| Handles | Circuit Court: felonies, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters. District Court: misdemeanors, traffic, local ordinance, small claims, and civil matters. |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Arkansas); parking tickets (citing city or agency); appeals (Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court) |
| Online Case Search | Search ARCourts (CourtConnect) |
| Criminal Records Requests | Circuit Clerk Lisa C. Lewis, 870-235-3700 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | pay.arcourts.gov (where the court participates) |
How to Search Columbia County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search. Columbia County circuit records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Magnolia.
Online
Go to Search ARCourts to find circuit court cases by name or case number.
Open the case summary to review status, parties, and dates.
Best for: Quick case status and party lookups
In Person
Go to the Circuit Clerk office at 1 Court Square, Magnolia, AR 71753.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which office handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Mail
Mail a written request to the Circuit Clerk, 1 Court Square, Magnolia, AR 71753.
Include the case number, party names, and a return address.
Call 870-235-3700 first to confirm what the clerk needs.
Best for: Requests when you cannot visit in person
Search by Name on ArkansasCourts.org
Go to ArkansasCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types at once, without a case number.
Confirm details in the official court search before relying on them.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Columbia County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Columbia County sits in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which has 6 circuit judges and a Circuit Clerk in Magnolia. County-level filings are not published in a downloadable form, so the figures below are Arkansas statewide totals for CY 2024.
184,611
Arkansas statewide circuit filings in CY 2024
180,614
Arkansas statewide circuit dispositions in CY 2024
942,381
Arkansas statewide district filings in CY 2024
97.8%
Arkansas statewide circuit clearance rate (dispositions per filing)
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Dispositions CY 2024 | Clearance Rate | Share of Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | 54,807 | 49,439 | 90.2% | 29.7% |
| Criminal | 46,810 | 49,132 | 105.0% | 25.4% |
| Domestic relations | 44,779 | 43,475 | 97.1% | 24.3% |
| Juvenile | 17,094 | 16,738 | 97.9% | 9.3% |
| Probate | 21,121 | 21,830 | 103.4% | 11.4% |
| Total | 184,611 | 180,614 | 97.8% | 100.0% |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Columbia County?
Statewide circuit court filings in Arkansas are shown for CY 2021 and CY 2024, with the CY 2021 figures taken from the 2021 annual report.
| Case Type | CY 2021 Filings | CY 2024 Filings | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | 33,320 | 54,807 | +64.5% |
| Criminal | 49,135 | 46,810 | -4.7% |
| Domestic relations | 42,069 | 44,779 | +6.4% |
| Juvenile | 14,566 | 17,094 | +17.4% |
| Probate | 19,352 | 21,121 | +9.1% |
| Total | 158,442 | 184,611 | +16.5% |
Statewide circuit filings rose 16.5% from 158,442 in CY 2021 to 184,611 in CY 2024, while dispositions rose from 135,178 to 180,614. Civil filings had the largest increase at 64.5%, or 21,487 more cases, and criminal filings were the only category to fall, down 4.7%. Juvenile filings rose 17.4% and domestic relations filings rose 6.4%.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Columbia County?
Civil cases are the largest statewide circuit category at 29.7% of the 184,611 circuit filings in CY 2024, and traffic violations are the largest district category at 30.1% of 942,381 district filings.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 (Arkansas statewide) | Share of Total | Change vs CY 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | 54,807 | 29.7% | +64.5% |
| Criminal | 46,810 | 25.4% | -4.7% |
| Domestic relations | 44,779 | 24.3% | +6.4% |
| Probate | 21,121 | 11.4% | +9.1% |
| Juvenile | 17,094 | 9.3% | +17.4% |
| Total | 184,611 | 100.0% | +16.5% |
| District Court Category | Filings CY 2024 (Arkansas statewide) | Share of District Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic violation | 283,636 | 30.1% |
| Traffic misdemeanor | 148,768 | 15.8% |
| Local ordinance | 28,044 | 3.0% |
| Debt collection | 24,215 | 2.6% |
| DWI | 15,847 | 1.7% |
| Small claims | 4,936 | 0.5% |
| Total district filings | 942,381 | 100.0% |
Among circuit categories, civil cases grew fastest at 64.5% since CY 2021, while criminal cases fell 4.7%.
How Does Columbia County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
Columbia County crime rates for 2025 cover all reporting agencies in the county and are measured per 100K residents covered by those agencies, compared with Arkansas reporting agencies statewide.
| Metric | Columbia County (2025) | Arkansas (2025) | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | ~639.4 | ~546.3 | 17% above Arkansas |
| Property crime rate | ~1,717.4 | ~1,962.1 | 12% below Arkansas |
| Homicide rate | ~4.6 | ~6.5 | 29% below Arkansas |
| Rape rate | ~36.5 | ~74.1 | 51% below Arkansas |
| Robbery rate | ~9.1 | ~31.7 | 71% below Arkansas |
| Aggravated assault rate | ~589.2 | ~434.0 | 36% above Arkansas |
| Burglary rate | ~507.0 | ~281.8 | 80% above Arkansas |
| Larceny-theft rate | ~1,114.5 | ~1,539.9 | 28% below Arkansas |
| Motor vehicle theft rate | ~95.9 | ~140.4 | 32% below Arkansas |
Columbia County's violent crime rate of ~639.4 per 100K is 17% above the Arkansas rate of ~546.3, and its property crime rate of ~1,717.4 is 12% below the state rate of ~1,962.1. The widest relative gap is for burglary rate, at ~507.0 per 100K compared with ~281.8 statewide.
Columbia County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures cover offenses reported by all law enforcement agencies in Columbia County, including Magnolia PD and Columbia County SO, as published by the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Total violent and property offenses rose 14.4% from 451 in 2024 to 516 in 2025.
140
Violent crimes in 2025
376
Property crimes in 2025
~639.4
Violent crime rate per 100K residents covered by reporting agencies
+14.4%
Change in total violent and property crimes vs 2024 (451)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | ~4.6 | 2 | -50.0% |
| Rape | 8 | ~36.5 | 11 | -27.3% |
| Robbery | 2 | ~9.1 | 3 | -33.3% |
| Aggravated assault | 129 | ~589.2 | 101 | +27.7% |
| Violent crimes total | 140 | ~639.4 | 117 | +19.7% |
| Burglary | 111 | ~507.0 | 96 | +15.6% |
| Larceny-theft | 244 | ~1,114.5 | 221 | +10.4% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 21 | ~95.9 | 17 | +23.5% |
| Property crimes total | 376 | ~1,717.4 | 334 | +12.6% |
Columbia County's violent crime rate is ~639.4 per 100K compared with ~546.3 statewide, and its property crime rate is ~1,717.4 compared with ~1,962.1 statewide.
Columbia County Courthouse Locations
Columbia County has 1 listed court office location in Magnolia. Check the office handling your case on your citation or notice, and confirm locations in the Circuit Clerks directory.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County Courthouse, Magnolia | 1 Court Square, Magnolia, AR 71753 | 870-235-3700 (Circuit Clerk); 870-325-6214 (County Judge); 870-235-3774 (County Clerk) | Circuit Clerk; County Judge; County Clerk |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Columbia County?
Arkansas divides cases between the Circuit Court and the District Court, and the Circuit Clerk in Magnolia keeps Columbia County circuit court records. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for Arkansas.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic violations are heard in District Court, and online payment is available where the court participates. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are handled by the issuing city or agency, not by the courts. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases. |
| Felony | Circuit Court | Circuit Court hears felony cases; the Circuit Clerk in Magnolia keeps the records. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | Misdemeanor DWI cases go to District Court, and felony charges go to Circuit Court. |
| Domestic violence | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, and domestic relations matters are heard in Circuit Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Circuit Court hears civil cases, and District Court hears civil matters. |
| Small claims | District Court | District Court hears small claims cases. |
| Eviction | District Court | District Court hears civil matters, including eviction actions. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Divorce cases are heard in the Circuit Court's domestic relations docket. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Custody and support matters are heard in the Circuit Court's domestic relations docket. |
| Probate or estate | Circuit Court, Probate | Probate matters are handled in Circuit Court. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court, Juvenile | Juvenile matters are heard in Circuit Court, and juvenile records are restricted. |
| Appeal | Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court | Appeals from circuit and district courts go to the appellate courts. |
Are Columbia County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Columbia County court records are public, with exceptions set by Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19 (Access to Court Records).
Public records
Most circuit court case files, including dockets, filings, and orders in criminal, civil, domestic relations, and probate cases, are open to the public, subject to the exceptions below.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted and are not available without the authority the court's rules or an order provides.
Online access
Use Search ARCourts to look up circuit court case information online. Online results show case information rather than every document, and restricted cases are not shown.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Clerk in Magnolia to view or request records, or call 870-235-3700 to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
This page does not list copy or certification fees. Ask the Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700 for the fee for the records you need.
How to Search Columbia County Court Records Online
Use the official Arkansas court search to find Columbia County circuit court cases by case type, and ask the Circuit Clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open Search ARCourts for court case information, or visit arcourts.gov for the court website and directories.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Search ARCourts | Case information for circuit court criminal cases | Documents may require the Circuit Clerk |
| Traffic | Search ARCourts; pay at pay.arcourts.gov | Case status and payment options | Payment is separate from record search |
| Civil | Search ARCourts | Case information and party names | Some filings may require the Circuit Clerk |
| Small claims | District court directory | Case information for small claims matters | Confirm which court holds the case |
| Family law | Search ARCourts | Case information for domestic relations cases | Sensitive details are restricted |
| Probate | Search ARCourts; Circuit Clerk | Case information for probate matters | Probate files may require the Circuit Clerk |
| Juvenile | Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700 | Limited information through the clerk | Juvenile records are restricted and are not part of the general online search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Columbia County
Traffic citations in Columbia County are paid to the court that issued them, and online payment is available only where that court participates.
- Online: Pay traffic tickets at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates. Limit: available only for participating courts.
- In person: Pay at the Circuit Clerk office at 1 Court Square, Magnolia, AR 71753. Limit: call 870-235-3700 to confirm the office handles your citation.
- By mail: Send payment with your citation or case number to the court that issued the citation, after confirming the address with the Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700. Limit: confirm mailing details before sending.
Parking tickets are handled by the city or agency that issued them, not by the circuit clerk. Municipal and local ordinance tickets go to the city's district court.
Columbia County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Columbia County court records?
Use Search ARCourts to look up cases by name or case number, or visit the Circuit Clerk in Magnolia.
Are Columbia County court records public?
Yes, most are, under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19, but juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by defendant name in Search ARCourts or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700.
How do I find a court date?
Check your citation or notice first, then search the case in Search ARCourts or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-235-3700.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates, or pay in person or by mail to the court that issued the citation.
How many cases are filed in Columbia County each year?
County-level filings are not published in a downloadable form. Arkansas circuit courts recorded 184,611 filings statewide in CY 2024.
What is the most common type of case?
Statewide, traffic violations were the largest district category at 283,636 filings (30.1%) in CY 2024, and civil was the largest circuit category at 54,807 (29.7%).
Is crime in Columbia County rising or falling?
Reported violent and property offenses rose 14.4% to 516 in 2025 from 451 in 2024, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center.
Courts in the County
Columbia County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | PO Box 1626, Magnolia, AR, 71754 |
| Phone Number: | 870-234-9100 |
| Fax: | 870-234-3957 |
| Website: | https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/district-courts?field_name_value=&field_district_court_tid=283&field_congressional_district_tid=All&items_per_page=All |
Useful Links
- Arkansas Judiciary: Official portal for Arkansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, providing court information, opinions, and access to online services.
- CourtConnect: Search for cases in Arkansas by person name, case type, or other information. Online access to public case information.
- Arkansas Chancery & Circuit Courts: Information on Arkansas Chancery and Circuit Courts, covering various legal matters and court processes.
- Columbia County, AR: Official website for Columbia County, providing resources such as county court contacts, public records information, and general services.
- Arkansas Circuit Courts: Comprehensive guide to the Arkansas Circuit Court system, including information on judicial districts and online resources.
- Arkansas Crime Information Center: Official Arkansas agency providing access to crime data, criminal background checks, and sex offender registry for public safety purposes.
- Arkansas Legal Services Online: Non-profit organization offering free legal resources and assistance for low-income residents across Arkansas.
- Benton County Justice of the Peace: Learn about the Justice of the Peace court services offered within Benton County, applicable also to Columbia County residents.
- USA.gov: State Attorneys General: Find contact details for the Arkansas Attorney General's office, providing consumer protection and legal services statewide.
- National Center for State Courts: Resource center offering educational materials and state court guides applicable to Columbia County judicial operations.
- Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point: Online tax filing system allowing review of tax records, which may intersect with probate and court services.
- Arkansas Public Records Directory: Comprehensive directory directing users to public records resources and court information across Arkansas, including Columbia County.
- City of Magnolia, AR: Official website for Magnolia city, located in Columbia County, offering municipal court information and local records services.
- Find a Lawyer in Arkansas: Arkansas Bar Association’s resource for finding qualified lawyers to assist with legal issues relating to court cases or legal advice.
- William H. Bowen School of Law Library: Law library offering legal research resources, information on Arkansas law, and public access to legal documents.
- United States Courts - Court Locator: Tool for locating federal courts in Arkansas, useful for those handling federal cases or seeking federal court records.
- Community Development Financial Institutions Fund: Information on financial grants and legal resources for community development, related financial services for non-profits and local governments.
- Arkansas Business News - Legal: Insight into legal services, business laws, and court judgments affecting businesses in Arkansas for business stakeholders.
- Birth & Death Certificate Resources by NLM: Guide to accessing birth and death certificates, potentially required for probate cases and other court procedures.
- Arkansas Department of Health: Health department providing essential public health information, including data and services intersecting with legal regulations and state court matters.
Table of Contents
- Columbia County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Columbia County Court Records
- Columbia County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Columbia County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Columbia County?
- How Does Columbia County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
- Columbia County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Columbia County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Columbia County?
- Are Columbia County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Columbia County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Columbia County
- Columbia County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links