Sentencing

When sentencing happens

Sentencing follows either a guilty plea or a finding of guilt after a trial. In district court it often happens the same day.

What a sentence can include

Depending on the offense, a sentence may involve a fine, jail, probation or a suspended sentence, court costs, and other conditions the law allows — such as classes, treatment, or restrictions related to the offense.

What a judge may impose depends on how the offence is classified under Arkansas law, and the maximums differ by classification.

Fines and court costs are not the same thing

A fine is the penalty. Court costs are amounts added by law on top of it. A total balance usually includes both. See the glossary entries for fine and court costs.

If you owe a balance

Questions about a balance, a payment date, or a payment arrangement go to the clerk's office of the court that handled the case. Court locations are listed here.