Sentencing
What the judge decides after a guilty plea or a finding of guilt, and the limits on that decision.
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.
Where this sits in the process
- 1Citation or arrestA case usually starts either with a citation telling someone to appear in court, or with an arrest.
- 2First appearance and bondA judge tells the person what they are accused of, addresses their right to a lawyer, and decides conditions of release.
- 3ArraignmentThe formal court appearance on the charge, where the person enters a plea.
- 4Plea and discoveryThe defense reviews the evidence, and the two sides discuss whether the case can be resolved without a trial.
- 5TrialIf the case does not resolve, a judge hears the evidence and decides whether the State has proved the charge.
- 6SentencingYou are hereIf there is a guilty plea or a finding of guilt, the judge imposes a sentence allowed by law for that offense.
- 7AppealA district court judgment may be appealed to circuit court, subject to the applicable procedure and deadline.
Sources: Arkansas Judiciary (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed: September 16, 2026