Little River 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 Little River County Circuit and District Courts serve as the county's trial courts in the Ninth West Judicial Circuit, handling felonies, civil and domestic relations cases, probate, juvenile matters, misdemeanors, and traffic cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Little River County Circuit Court and District Court (Ninth West Judicial Circuit) |
| Main Address | 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822 |
| Main Phone | 870-898-7280 |
| Website | arcourts.gov |
| Judicial Officers | 2 circuit judges serving the Ninth West Judicial Circuit: Tom Cooper (Division 1); Bryan Chesshir (Division 2) |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Ashdown) |
| Handles | Circuit Court: felonies, civil cases, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate. District Court: misdemeanors, traffic, local ordinance violations, small claims, and civil matters. |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (the U.S. District Court for Arkansas), parking tickets (the citing city or agency), and appeals (the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court). |
| Online Case Search | Search ARCourts |
| Criminal Records Requests | Circuit Clerk's Office, 870-898-7280, 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | pay.arcourts.gov, where the court participates |
How to Search Little River County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Little River County court records.
Online
Go to Search ARCourts to look up cases by name or case number.
Open the case details to review status and parties.
Expect restricted records to be missing from the online results.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the Circuit Clerk's Office for records not available online.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Mail
Send your request to the Little River County Circuit Clerk, 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822.
Include the case number, party names, and your return address.
Call 870-898-7280 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 results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Little River County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Arkansas statewide circuit and district caseload for CY 2024 is shown below, because county-level filings are not published in a downloadable form. Little River County cases are heard in the Ninth West Judicial Circuit, which has 2 circuit judges listed.
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 in CY 2024 (dispositions divided by filings)
| Case Type (Arkansas statewide) | 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 circuit | 184,611 | 180,614 | 97.8% | 100.0% |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Little River County?
Arkansas statewide circuit court filings are compared for CY 2021 and CY 2024, with CY 2021 figures taken from the 2021 annual report. Little River County is in the Ninth West Judicial Circuit, and county-level filing trends are not published in a downloadable form.
| Case Type (Arkansas statewide) | 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 circuit filings | 158,442 | 184,611 | +16.5% |
Statewide circuit filings rose 16.5% from 158,442 in CY 2021 to 184,611 in CY 2024, a gain of 26,169. Civil filings added the most cases, up 21,487 (+64.5%), while criminal filings were the only decline, falling 4.7%. Juvenile filings rose +17.4%, probate rose +9.1%, and domestic relations rose +6.4%.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Little River County?
Across Arkansas, civil cases are the largest circuit category at 29.7% of 184,611 CY 2024 circuit filings, and traffic violations are the largest district category at 30.1% of 942,381 district filings.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Arkansas statewide) | ||
| Civil | 54,807 | 29.7% |
| Criminal | 46,810 | 25.4% |
| Domestic relations | 44,779 | 24.3% |
| Probate | 21,121 | 11.4% |
| Juvenile | 17,094 | 9.3% |
| Total circuit filings | 184,611 | 100.0% |
| District Court (Arkansas statewide) | ||
| 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% |
Civil filings grew fastest, up +64.5% from CY 2021 to CY 2024, while criminal filings fell 4.7%, the only decline among circuit categories.
How Does Little River County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
Court filings for Little River County are not published in a downloadable form, so this comparison uses 2025 reported crime per 100K residents covered by reporting agencies, measured against all Arkansas reporting agencies covering 3,029,489 residents.
| Metric | Little River County | Arkansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 100K | ~276.7 | ~546.3 | 49.4% below state |
| Property crimes per 100K | ~1184.6 | ~1962.1 | 39.6% below state |
| Homicide per 100K | ~0.0 | ~6.5 | 100.0% below state |
| Rape per 100K | ~77.8 | ~74.1 | 5.0% above state |
| Robbery per 100K | ~0.0 | ~31.7 | 100.0% below state |
| Aggravated assault per 100K | ~198.9 | ~434.0 | 54.2% below state |
| Burglary per 100K | ~276.7 | ~281.8 | 1.8% below state |
| Larceny-theft per 100K | ~847.4 | ~1539.9 | 45.0% below state |
| Motor vehicle theft per 100K | ~60.5 | ~140.4 | 56.9% below state |
Little River County's violent crime rate of ~276.7 per 100K is 49.4% below state the statewide rate of ~546.3, and its property crime rate of ~1184.6 per 100K is 39.6% below state the statewide rate of ~1962.1. Rates use the population covered by reporting agencies rather than Census population, so they are comparable across the state but not to Census-based figures.
Little River County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures cover offenses reported by all law enforcement agencies in Little River County, including the Ashdown PD and the Little River SO, using the 11,565 residents covered by those agencies. Total reported violent and property crimes fell 28.4% from 236 in 2024 to 169 in 2025.
32
Violent crimes in 2025
137
Property crimes in 2025
~276.7
Violent crime rate per 100K residents covered by reporting agencies
-28.4%
Change in total reported violent and property crimes vs 2024
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 0 | ~0.0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Rape | 9 | ~77.8 | 11 | -18.2% |
| Robbery | 0 | ~0.0 | 2 | -100.0% |
| Aggravated assault | 23 | ~198.9 | 34 | -32.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 32 | ~276.7 | 47 | -31.9% |
| Burglary | 32 | ~276.7 | 43 | -25.6% |
| Larceny-theft | 98 | ~847.4 | 134 | -26.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 7 | ~60.5 | 12 | -41.7% |
| Property crimes total | 137 | ~1184.6 | 189 | -27.5% |
Compared with Arkansas, Little River County's violent crime rate of ~276.7 per 100K is 49.4% below state, and its property crime rate of ~1184.6 per 100K is 39.6% below state.
Little River County Courthouse Locations
Little River County has 1 Circuit Clerk location, in Ashdown, at 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822. Check your notice or citation for the division and courtroom before you go, because not every courthouse handles every case type.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk and County Offices (Ashdown) | 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822 | 870-898-7280 | Circuit Clerk (Lauren Abney); County Judge (Larry Cowling, 870-898-7202); County Clerk (Deanna Sivley, 870-898-7210) |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Little River County?
Most Little River County criminal, traffic, and civil matters start in the Circuit or District Court, and federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for Arkansas.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court, Traffic | Pay online at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates, or contact the court that issued the ticket. |
| Parking ticket | The citing city or agency | The court does not handle parking tickets. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court, Criminal | District Court hears misdemeanor charges. |
| Felony | Circuit Court, Criminal | Circuit Court handles felony charges; contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280. |
| DUI | District Court (misdemeanor) or Circuit Court (felony) | Check the charge on your paperwork to confirm which court handles it. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, and domestic relations matters are heard in Circuit Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court, Civil | Circuit Court handles civil cases, and District Court also hears civil matters. |
| Small claims | District Court, Small Claims | District Court handles small claims. |
| Eviction | District Court, Civil | District Court hears civil matters; contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280 to confirm. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Circuit Court handles domestic relations matters. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Circuit Court handles domestic relations matters. |
| Probate or estate | Circuit Court, Probate | Circuit Court handles probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | Circuit Court, Juvenile | Circuit Court handles juvenile matters, and juvenile records are restricted. |
| Appeal | Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court | Appeals are reviewed by the appellate courts, not the county circuit clerk. |
Are Little River County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Little River County court records are public, with exceptions for restricted records under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19 (Access to Court Records).
Public records
Most circuit and district court case files are open to the public, including dockets, filings, and orders in criminal, traffic, civil, and domestic relations cases.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted under the rule, so they are not open for public inspection.
Online access
Search ARCourts shows case information, not every document, and restricted or sealed records are not shown. Traffic tickets can be paid at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates.
In-person access
Visit the Little River County Circuit Clerk's Office at 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822 to view or request records. Call 870-898-7280 to confirm which division holds your case.
Fees
Fee amounts are not listed here. Ask the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280 about copy fees before you request records.
How to Search Little River County Court Records Online
Use the official Arkansas court search to find Little River County 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 at arcourts.gov.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status and parties.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Search ARCourts | Case information and status | Not every document is online; request others from the clerk |
| Traffic | Search ARCourts; pay at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates | Case information | Search and payment are separate |
| Civil | Search ARCourts | Case information | Some filings may require the clerk |
| Small claims | Search ARCourts | Case information | Some filings may require the clerk |
| Family law | Search ARCourts | Case information for domestic relations cases | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Circuit Clerk, 870-898-7280 | Estate case information through the clerk | Not every probate document is online |
| Juvenile | Circuit Clerk, 870-898-7280 | Limited information through the clerk | Juvenile records are restricted and not in the general search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Little River County
Traffic citations from Little River County can be paid online or in person, and the court that issued the citation handles payment questions.
- Online: Pay traffic tickets at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates.
- In person: Go to the court that issued the citation, or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280 to confirm where to pay. The Circuit Clerk's Office is at 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822.
- By mail: Contact the court listed on your citation for mailing instructions before you send payment.
Parking tickets are handled by the citing city or agency, not by the court, and municipal ordinance tickets go to the city's district court.
Little River County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Little River County court records?
Use Search ARCourts to look up cases by name or case number, or visit the Circuit Clerk at 351 North Second, Ashdown, AR 71822.
Are Little River County court records public?
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 name or case number in Search ARCourts, or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280.
How do I find a court date?
Check your citation or notice, or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-898-7280 to confirm your court date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates, or contact the court that issued the citation.
How many cases are filed in Little River County each year?
County-level filings are not published in a downloadable form. Statewide, Arkansas circuit courts recorded 184,611 filings and district courts recorded 942,381 in CY 2024.
What is the most common type of case?
Statewide in CY 2024, civil cases were the largest circuit category at 54,807 filings (29.7%), and traffic violations were the largest district category at 283,636 (30.1%).
Is crime in Little River County rising or falling?
Total reported violent and property crimes fell 28.4% from 236 in 2024 to 169 in 2025, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center.
Courts in the County
Little River County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 351 N. 2nd St. Ste. 8, Ashdown, AR, 71822 |
| Phone Number: | 870-898-3147 |
| Fax: | 870-898-3933 |
| Website: | https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/district-courts?field_name_value=&field_district_court_tid=387&field_congressional_district_tid=All&items_per_page=25 |
Useful Links
- Little River County Circuit Court - Arkansas Judiciary Little River County Circuit Court's official page with detailed court services, judicial decisions, and contact details for court officials.
- Arkansas Judiciary Public Access to Court Dockets Access public court dockets, hearing schedules, and case information through the Arkansas Judiciary's dedicated online resource platform.
- Little River County, Arkansas Official Government Site Official government portal with guides to local services, including court records, fees, and departments within Little River County.
- Arkansas Legal Services Online Non-profit legal resources for residents of Arkansas, providing connections to legal aid, pro bono services, and self-help resources.
- Arkansas Crime Information Center Repository for statewide criminal records, public safety statistics, and detailed crime data reports for Arkansas counties.
- United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas Federal legal jurisdiction related information including prosecutorial activities and law enforcement initiatives in Arkansas.
- Little River County Bankruptcy Court Information Comprehensive guide to bankruptcy filings, procedures, and court contact information specific to Little River County.
- Arkansas State Crime Lab Provides forensic analysis, toxicology reports, and investigative support services to law enforcement throughout Arkansas.
- Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration State-wide services including motor vehicle licensing, child support payments, tax-related resources, and court-related financial processing.
- Little River County Tax Collector and Assessor Records Access records related to property taxes, assessments, and parcel information in Little River County.
- Arkansas Homeland Security State security resources, emergency preparedness, and public safety initiatives with connections to local enforcement agencies.
- Office of the Arkansas Attorney General Official state legal advisories, consumer protection resources, and law enforcement support facilitated by the Attorney General's Office.
- Access Arkansas Resource for health and human services including legal aid and assistance programs related to public welfare and family services.
- Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Statewide oversight body providing statistics, court forms, and policy guidance for the Arkansas judicial system.
- USPS - District and Court Addresses for Arkansas Find mailing and physical addresses for courts in Arkansas, including district court details pertinent to Little River County.
- Arkansas Economic Opportunity Agency Community agency assisting with legal services, economic empowerment, and support infrastructure for residents in Arkansas.
- U.S. District Courts of Arkansas History and Jurisdiction Historical context and jurisdictional scope of the Federal District Courts serving communities across Arkansas.
- USDA Rural Development Arkansas Resources and support for rural communities, including legal aid for agricultural and land issues relevant to Little River County.
- Arkansas Bar Association Professional body providing legal resources, lawyer directories, and continuing education for practitioners across Arkansas.
- Child Welfare Information Gateway - Court and Legal Professionals Federally-funded resource ensuring welfare and legal support for children through court systems across the United States, including Arkansas.
Table of Contents
- Little River County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Little River County Court Records
- Little River County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Little River County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Little River County?
- How Does Little River County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
- Little River County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Little River County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Little River County?
- Are Little River County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Little River County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Little River County
- Little River County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links