Arkansas Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is a court order that decides the outcome of a lawsuit. A judgment typically clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved in the case. In Arkansas, judgments may arise from lawsuits involving debt collection, property disputes, family court cases, or criminal restitution. After a judgment is made, it becomes enforceable by law and can result in actions such as wage garnishment, liens on property, or a bad credit report.

What Is a Judgment in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a judgment is the ultimate decision made by a court in a lawsuit. Judgments resolve legal disputes by clarifying the rights and responsibilities of parties in the dispute. It may order one party to pay money, hand over property, or stop doing certain things.

According to Section 16-65-101 - 16-65-604 of the Arkansas Code, a judgment has to be recorded by the clerk in line with the decision of the judge on a matter. Once a judgment is recorded, it has the force of law and can be enforced by creditors using different collection methods.

Types of Judgments in Arkansas

Arkansas courts issue various kinds of judgments. Each type of judgment has a specific purpose based on the unique circumstances of the case in question:

1. Money Judgments

A money judgment is when a court orders one party to pay a certain amount to another. This type of judgment is commonly used in cases involving debt collection, contract disputes, or personal injury claims.

2. Default Judgments

A default judgment happens when a defendant does not respond to a lawsuit or show up in court. In these situations, the plaintiff automatically wins the case. The judgment contains what the plaintiff asked for in the lawsuit.

3. Property or Lien Judgments

A property or lien judgment stops a debtor from selling or refinancing an estate until their debt is settled. Creditors can place a judgment lien on the debtor’s real estate or other assets.

4. Non-Monetary Judgment

This judgment orders a party to perform a specific action or refrain from certain conduct. It usually does not require the party that lost the case to pay any monetary compensation to the other party.

5. Summary Judgment

This is granted when there is no genuine dispute over the key facts of the case. It allows the court to rule in favor of one party without a full trial.

How to Search for Judgments in Arkansas

In Arkansas, judgments are generally considered public information. This means that anyone can request access to these records. Arkansas judgments and case records can be accessed in several ways:

1. Circuit Clerk’s Offices – Each county has a Circuit Clerk who maintains judgment records. Interested persons can visit the clerk's office to look up case files or ask for certified copies.
2. Arkansas CourtConnect – This online system enables the public to access case records across the state. Users can search using the case number, the names of the parties involved, or the date of the judgment. The system shows details about the case and where the court is located.
3. Third-Party Services – Some private companies maintain a database of judgment records across jurisdictions. While these platforms can provide extensive records, they may not always have the most up-to-date data. Although third-party websites can be cheaper, users need to verify whether these sites are updated regularly.

Information typically available in judgment records includes:

• Case number
• Parties involved
• Court location
• Judgment date
• Amount owed or type of relief granted.

Judgment Records in Major Arkansas Cities

Accessing judgment records can vary slightly by location. However, anyone in the state can look up court records using the statewide CourtConnect system.

• Little Rock (Pulaski County):Pulaski County’s Circuit Clerk maintains extensive civil and judgment records. Searches can be conducted online or in person at the courthouse.
• Fayetteville (Washington County): You can find Washington County records through CourtConnect or by going to the local Circuit Clerk’s Office. However, certified copies can only be obtained at the Circuit Clerk’s Office in person.
• Fort Smith (Sebastian County):Sebastian County also provides access to court records via CourtConnect. Those seeking certified copies of records must visit their local courthouse.

While CourtConnect covers most areas, smaller courts may require you to request records in person at the local Circuit Clerk’s Office.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a judgment is valid for 10 years from the date it was entered. Creditors have the option to renew the judgment before it runs out. A renewal allows creditors to extend the enforceability period of a judgment for another 10 years. This renewal can happen multiple times, so a judgment can stay active forever unless it gets paid off.

During the time the judgment is enforceable, creditors can legally take actions to collect the debt, like garnishing wages, placing liens, and seizing property.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Arkansas?

After a judgment is entered, creditors can take steps to collect their debt. On the other hand, debtors must deal with the legal and financial consequences that follow from the judgment.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors can ask a court to order an employer to deduct a specific amount from the defendant's paycheck. The highest amount that can be taken is 25 percent of the net disposable income. In some cases, if a person has a low income, it might stop you from garnishing their wages or only let you collect a small amount of money at once.
• Writ of Execution: Creditors can also obtain an order directing the sheriff to take the property of the defendant and sell it at a public auction for you to get your money. You should only consider using a writ of execution if there are no other ways to collect your money, as it can be a really complicated process.
• Bank Levies: With court approval, creditors may collect funds directly from the debtor’s bank accounts.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments usually show up on credit reports, which can greatly lower credit scores and make it harder to get loans or housing.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: After a debt is paid, the creditor is required to submit a “Satisfaction of Judgment” document to the court to show that the debt has been settled.
• Appeal or Motion to Vacate: If a debtor thinks the judgment was made by mistake, they can appeal the ruling or ask for the judgment to be canceled, especially in cases of default judgments.