Franklin County District Court-Charleston District

Franklin County District Court-Charleston District Court cases in Franklin County, Charleston, AR

Franklin County District Court-Charleston (Charleston, Arkansas) is an Arkansas district court of limited jurisdiction. It functions as the local trial court for misdemeanors, traffic and DWI offenses, and city or county ordinance violations arising within its territorial jurisdiction, and it conducts initial appearances, probable-cause determinations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases before transfer to circuit court. On the civil side, the court hears small claims and other limited-jurisdiction civil actions within statutory monetary limits, including contract and property-damage disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and collection cases. It does not adjudicate divorces, custody, or other family-law cases, which are handled by the Franklin County Circuit Court.

Franklin County District Court-Charleston District Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Franklin County District Court-Charleston District

Franklin County District Court - Charleston Department serves the public as a limited-jurisdiction trial court.

- Criminal/traffic: misdemeanor offenses, DWI/DUI, traffic and ordinance violations; first appearances and preliminary hearings in felony matters; warrants and criminal no-contact orders.
- Civil: small claims and certain civil disputes (e.g., landlord-tenant/evictions, debt collection, replevin).
- Case processing: filings, scheduling, fines/fees payment, records requests, continuances, compliance/probation reviews.
- Hearings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, plea hearings, bench trials; jury trials when authorized.
- Jury services: manages juror summons and check-in for any District Court jury trials; countywide jury administration is typically handled by Circuit Court.
- Protective orders: civil Orders of Protection are filed in Franklin County Circuit Court; District Court provides referrals and enforces related criminal orders.
- Public assistance: counter/phone help, forms, and online payment options.