Hempstead County District Court

Hempstead County District Court cases in Hempstead County, Hope, AR

Hempstead County District Court in Hope, AR, is a limited-jurisdiction district court that handles lower-level matters within the local judicial system. It hears misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and city/county ordinance violations; manages civil disputes within Arkansas district court monetary limits, including small claims; and conducts preliminary proceedings in felony cases (such as first appearances, probable cause determinations, and setting bail) before transfer to circuit court. The court does not adjudicate divorce, custody, probate, juvenile, or felony trials, which are handled by the circuit court. This court serves as the primary forum for routine criminal, traffic, and limited civil matters arising in Hope and Hempstead County.

Hempstead County District Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Hempstead County District Court

Hempstead County District Court provides public access to limited criminal, traffic, and civil justice. It accepts case filings and citations; schedules and conducts arraignments, pretrial conferences, bench and jury trials, and sentencing; and maintains case records. Jurisdiction includes misdemeanors, city/county ordinance violations, DWI and other traffic offenses, and preliminary proceedings in felony cases. Civil services cover small claims and other limited civil disputes within statutory limits. The court processes warrants, takes pleas, assesses fines and court costs, offers payment options where allowed, and enforces judgments. It coordinates jury services-summoning, qualifying, and managing jurors for district-court trials. The court issues criminal no-contact orders and provides information or referrals regarding protective orders consistent with Arkansas law.