Ouachita County, AR Courts and Public Records
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The Ouachita County Circuit Court, part of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, handles felonies, civil cases, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, local ordinance cases, and civil matters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Circuit Court of Ouachita County (Thirteenth Judicial Circuit) |
| Main Address | 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701 |
| Main Phone | 870-837-2230 (Circuit Clerk) |
| Website | arcourts.gov |
| Judicial Officers | 6 circuit judges: David Graham (Division 1), Mary Thomason (Division 2), Ryan Phillips (Division 3), John Thomas Shepherd (Division 4), David Talley, Jr. (Division 5), Gary Burbank (Division 6) |
| Courthouse Locations | 2 (Camden) |
| Handles | Felonies, civil cases, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate in Circuit Court; misdemeanors, traffic, local ordinance, small claims, and civil matters in District Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Arkansas); parking tickets (the citing city or agency); appeals (Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court) |
| Online Case Search | Search ARCourts |
| Criminal Records Requests | Circuit Clerk, 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701, 870-837-2230 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates |
How to Search Ouachita County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search for Ouachita County court records.
Online
Go to Search ARCourts to look up circuit and district court cases.
Search by name or case number, then open the case details.
Review the case status and docket entries shown.
Best for: Quick case status lookups
In Person
Go to the Circuit Clerk, 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk for records that are not available online.
Best for: Records and copies not online
By Mail
Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701.
Include the case number, party names, and your return address.
Call 870-837-2230 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.
Treat results as leads, not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Ouachita County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Ouachita County is in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which has 6 circuit judges and is served by Circuit Clerk Gladys Nettles. County-level filing counts are not published in a downloadable form, so these figures are Arkansas statewide circuit court totals for CY 2024.
184,611
Circuit filings, Arkansas statewide, CY 2024
180,614
Circuit dispositions, Arkansas statewide, CY 2024
942,381
District filings, Arkansas statewide, CY 2024
97.8%
Circuit clearance rate (dispositions divided by filings), CY 2024
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 (Arkansas statewide) | Dispositions CY 2024 (Arkansas statewide) | 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% |
| Probate | 21,121 | 21,830 | 103.4% | 11.4% |
| Juvenile | 17,094 | 16,738 | 97.9% | 9.3% |
| Total | 184,611 | 180,614 | 97.8% | 100.0% |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Ouachita County?
Statewide circuit filings rose from 158,442 in CY 2021 to 184,611 in CY 2024. CY 2021 figures come 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% |
| Probate | 19,352 | 21,121 | +9.1% |
| Juvenile | 14,566 | 17,094 | +17.4% |
| Total | 158,442 | 184,611 | +16.5% |
Total circuit filings rose 16.5% from 158,442 in CY 2021 to 184,611 in CY 2024, and circuit dispositions rose 33.6% over the same period. Civil filings grew fastest at +64.5%, while criminal filings fell 4.7%, the only decline among the five circuit case types. These are statewide totals, so they describe all Arkansas circuit courts rather than Ouachita County alone.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ouachita County?
Statewide, civil cases are the largest circuit category at 29.7% of 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 (Circuit, Arkansas statewide) | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 184,611 | 100.0% |
| Case Type (District, Arkansas statewide) | Filings CY 2024 | Share of District Total |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic violations | 283,636 | 30.1% |
| Traffic misdemeanors | 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% |
From CY 2021 to CY 2024, civil filings grew fastest at +64.5%, while criminal filings fell 4.7%, the only decline.
How Does Ouachita County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
County court data is not published in a downloadable form at the county level, so this comparison uses 2025 reported crime rates per 100K residents covered by reporting agencies. Arkansas figures are statewide totals for all reporting agencies.
| Metric | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate per 100K | ~609.2 | ~546.3 | 11.5% above state |
| Property crime rate per 100K | ~2,060.3 | ~1,962.1 | 5.0% above state |
| Homicide rate per 100K | ~0.0 | ~6.5 | 100.0% below state |
| Rape rate per 100K | ~65.1 | ~74.1 | 12.2% below state |
| Robbery rate per 100K | ~27.9 | ~31.7 | 12.0% below state |
| Aggravated assault rate per 100K | ~516.2 | ~434.0 | 18.9% above state |
| Burglary rate per 100K | ~441.8 | ~281.8 | 56.8% above state |
| Larceny-theft rate per 100K | ~1,451.0 | ~1,539.9 | 5.8% below state |
| Motor vehicle theft rate per 100K | ~167.4 | ~140.4 | 19.2% above state |
Ouachita County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures cover offenses reported by all agencies in Ouachita County, mainly Camden PD and Ouachita County SO, as published by the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Total reported crimes fell 20.7%, from 724 in 2024 to 574 in 2025.
131
Violent crimes reported in 2025 by all county agencies
443
Property crimes reported in 2025 by all county agencies
~609.2
Violent crime rate per 100K residents covered by reporting agencies
-20.7%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2024 (724 to 574)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 0 | ~0.0 | 2 | -100.0% |
| Rape | 14 | ~65.1 | 14 | +0.0% |
| Robbery | 6 | ~27.9 | 9 | -33.3% |
| Aggravated assault | 111 | ~516.2 | 124 | -10.5% |
| Violent crimes total | 131 | ~609.2 | 149 | -12.1% |
| Burglary | 95 | ~441.8 | 137 | -30.7% |
| Larceny-theft | 312 | ~1,451.0 | 402 | -22.4% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 36 | ~167.4 | 36 | +0.0% |
| Property crimes total | 443 | ~2,060.3 | 575 | -23.0% |
Ouachita County's violent crime rate of ~609.2 per 100K is above the Arkansas rate of ~546.3, and its property crime rate of ~2,060.3 is above the state rate of ~1,962.1.
Ouachita County Courthouse Locations
Ouachita County has 2 listed courthouse locations, in Camden. Check your notice or ticket for the assigned courthouse before you go. Official listings are in the circuit clerk directory and the district court directory.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Clerk and County Clerk offices | 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701 | 870-837-2230 (Circuit Clerk); 870-837-2220 (County Clerk) | Circuit Clerk; County Clerk |
| County Judge office | Ouachita County Courthouse, Camden, AR 71701 | 870-837-2210 (County Judge) | County Judge |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Ouachita County?
In Ouachita County, most cases start in Circuit Court or District Court, and the type of charge or claim decides which one hears it.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court, traffic | Pay or resolve the ticket through the court that issued it; pay.arcourts.gov lists online payment where the court participates. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court, criminal | Misdemeanors are heard in District Court; call the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 with case questions. |
| Felony | Circuit Court, criminal | Felonies are tried in Circuit Court; the Circuit Clerk can be reached at 870-837-2230. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | Misdemeanor DUI goes to District Court and felony DUI goes to Circuit Court, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route; ask the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 about protection order filings. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Civil claims are heard in District Court or Circuit Court depending on the case; confirm with the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230. |
| Small claims | District Court | Small claims are heard in District Court; confirm filing details with the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230. |
| Eviction | District Court | Eviction cases are civil matters heard in District Court. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Divorce cases are heard in Circuit Court. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court, Domestic Relations | Custody and support cases are heard in Circuit Court. |
| 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 court decisions go to the appellate courts. |
Are Ouachita County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Ouachita County court records are public, with exceptions set by Arkansas law. Under the Arkansas Supreme Court's Administrative Order 19 (Access to Court Records), the public may inspect most court records, but juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are restricted.
Public records
Most circuit and district case files, including dockets, filings, and orders, are open to the public at the Circuit Clerk's Office. The clerk can confirm which records are available for a specific case.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile records, sealed records, and records made confidential by law or court order are restricted. The clerk can explain what applies to a specific case.
Online access
Search case information at Search ARCourts (CourtConnect). Online results show case information, not every document, and juvenile, sealed, and confidential records are not available through this search.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Clerk at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701 to view or request records. Call 870-837-2230 to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
Ask the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 about any fees for copies before you request records.
How to Search Ouachita County Court Records Online
Use the official Arkansas court portals to search Ouachita 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 for case information, or pay.arcourts.gov for traffic tickets where the court participates.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case status and parties shown in the case details.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Search ARCourts | Case information and docket details | Documents may need a request to the Circuit Clerk. |
| Traffic | Search ARCourts; pay at pay.arcourts.gov | Case information for traffic cases | Payment is separate from record search. |
| Civil | Search ARCourts | Case information and parties | Restricted or confidential filings are not available online. |
| Small claims | Search ARCourts | Case information and parties | Documents may need a request to the Circuit Clerk. |
| Family law | Search ARCourts | Case information for domestic relations cases | Confidential details are restricted. |
| Probate | Ask the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 | Probate file information through the clerk | Confirm whether the file is available online before you search. |
| Juvenile | Contact the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 | Limited case information through the clerk | Juvenile records are restricted and are not in the online search. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ouachita County
Traffic citations, criminal fines, and parking tickets are paid in different ways, so confirm where to pay before you send money.
- Online: Pay traffic tickets at pay.arcourts.gov where the court participates.
- In person: Pay at the court that issued the citation, such as the Circuit Clerk at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701. Call 870-837-2230 to confirm where to pay.
- By mail: Mail payment to the court that issued the citation. Call 870-837-2230 to confirm the mailing address before you send anything.
Parking tickets are paid to the city or agency that issued them, not to the court. Municipal and local ordinance tickets go to the city's district court.
Ouachita County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Ouachita County court records?
Use Search ARCourts to look up cases by name or case number, or visit the Circuit Clerk at 145 Jefferson Street, Camden, AR 71701.
Are Ouachita 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 name or case number in Search ARCourts, or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230 for help.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice, look up the case in Search ARCourts, or call the Circuit Clerk at 870-837-2230.
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 per year?
County filing counts are not published in a downloadable form. Statewide, Arkansas circuit courts recorded 184,611 filings in CY 2024, and district courts recorded 942,381.
What is the most common type of case?
Traffic violations are the most common district category statewide, with 283,636 filings or 30.1% of CY 2024 district filings.
Is crime in Ouachita County rising or falling?
Reported crimes fell 20.7% in 2025, from 724 in 2024 to 574, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center.
Courts in the County
Camden District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 109 Goodgame, Camden, AR, 71701 |
| Phone Number: | 870-836-0331 |
| Fax: | 870-837-5530 |
| Website: | https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/district-courts?field_name_value=&field_district_court_tid=427&field_congressional_district_tid=All&items_per_page=All |
East Camden District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 100 North Womble Street, Camden, AR, 71701 |
| Phone Number: | 870-574-0200 |
| Fax: | 870-574-4036 |
| Website: | https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/district-courts?field_name_value=&field_district_court_tid=429&field_congressional_district_tid=All&items_per_page=25 |
Useful Links
- State of Arkansas Official Website The official website of the State of Arkansas, offering a wide range of services and resources including judicial information.
- Arkansas Judiciary The official website of the Arkansas Judiciary, providing access to court information, records, and legal resources for the state.
- Arkansas PBS Arkansas PBS offers educational resources, local programs, and legal program explanations for residents statewide.
- Administrative Office of the Courts The Administrative Office of the Courts offers support and guidance to the judicial system in Arkansas, enhancing court operations.
- Arkansas Courts FAQs Frequently asked questions about court processes and services in Arkansas, providing clarity and guidance to residents.
- Arkansas Circuit Courts Provides information on circuit courts throughout Arkansas, including jurisdictions, contacts, and operations.
- Arkansas Legal Services A non-profit organization offering free legal resources and support to low-income individuals across Arkansas.
- Arkansas Public Records | OnlinePublicRecords Access a range of public records for Arkansas, including court records, through this comprehensive records directory.
- Pay Court Fines - Arkansas.gov A portal for paying court fines online in Arkansas, offering a convenient and efficient payment method for residents.
- CourtConnect | Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect provides public access to case information from trial and appellate courts within Arkansas.
- Ouachita County Courts Comprehensive information about court services and local court operations specific to Ouachita County, Arkansas.
- Arkansas Public Defender Commission Providing legal defense services for indigent clients in Arkansas, ensuring fair representation and access to justice.
- Ouachita County Court Records Access Ouachita County court records and case information through CourtRecords.org, offering reliable and detailed records.
- Arkansas Lawyers - Justia Connecting individuals with qualified legal professionals in Arkansas, offering support, and guidance across various legal fields.
- ACLU of Arkansas Organization dedicated to defending and preserving individual rights and liberties in Arkansas through advocacy and legal action.
- Arkansas State Library A repository of information and resources for Arkansas residents, supporting legal research and public access to information.
- UAMS Health Providing healthcare services and legal medical information in Arkansas, with extensive resources for public wellbeing.
- Arkansas Trustee Commission Offering resources and information on bankruptcy cases, court trustees, and financial legal obligations in Arkansas.
- Association of Arkansas Counties A coalition providing information and resources to support county governments and affiliates in Arkansas.
- Arkansas 911 Board The Arkansas 911 Board provides essential emergency services management information and resources to Arkansans.
Table of Contents
- Ouachita County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Ouachita County Court Records
- Ouachita County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Ouachita County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ouachita County?
- How Does Ouachita County Compare With Arkansas Overall?
- Ouachita County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Ouachita County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Ouachita County?
- Are Ouachita County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Ouachita County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ouachita County
- Ouachita County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links