Faulkner County
Faulkner County was established in 1873 and named after Sandford C. Faulkner, a popular figure in the state at the time. It is known for its educational and recreational opportunities. Its county seat and largest city is Conway. Faulkner County had a population exceeding 124,611 residents as of 2022, making it the fifth most populous county in the state. The county's court system comprises a Circuit Court and District Courts.
Faulkner County Circuit Court is part of the 20th Judicial District. It is a court of general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, probate, juvenile matters, and family law cases. The Circuit Court has authority over civil disputes exceeding $100 and exclusive jurisdiction in equity claims. It shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court for civil claims of up to $25,000 and with local District Courts for claims not exceeding $5,000. On the other hand, Faulkner County District Courts, including Vilonia Division and Conway District Court, have limited jurisdiction over certain civil and criminal matters. They oversee misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, ordinance violations, and civil claims. The court includes a Small Claims Division for civil cases below $5,000 in monetary disputes. Additionally, the District Courts conduct preliminary hearings for most criminal cases.
Faulkner Court records are legal documentation of case trials held in the various county's courts, including indexes, petitions, docket entries, memoranda, transcriptions of proceedings, orders, and judgments. They are usually preserved in multiple formats for easy storage and retrieval, including transcriptions, and microfilms. The Clerk of Court maintains Faulkner County court records and makes them accessible to the public These records include:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
- Juvenile Records (with limited public access)
- Traffic Records
Court records are open to public access per the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. However, access to records such as juvenile, mental health, and adoption cases is restricted, as they contain confidential information. Interested individuals may access public court records at the courthouse, where public access terminals allow free inspection of case files. Faulkner County also provides online access to case and docket information through the Arkansas CourtConnect Portal, allowing users to view case details remotely. Alternatively, requests for specific records can be made via email or in person at the Clerk's Office at:
801 Locust Street
Conway, AR 72034
Phone: (501) 450-4911
