District court vs. circuit court
Two Arkansas trial courts with different jobs. Which one your case is in depends mostly on what kind of case it is.
Circuit court is Arkansas's trial court of general jurisdiction. District court has a defined, narrower set of matters: misdemeanours, traffic, ordinances, civil to $25,000 and small claims to $5,000.
| District court | Circuit court | |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of court | Limited jurisdiction — a defined set of matters | General jurisdiction |
| Criminal cases | Misdemeanors, traffic, city ordinance violations; preliminary steps in felony matters | Felony prosecutions |
| Civil cases | Small claims and civil matters within its jurisdiction | Larger civil matters and other cases within its general jurisdiction |
| Trials | Generally bench trials, decided by the judge | Can include jury trials |
| Appeals go to | Circuit court, which can involve a trial de novo | The Arkansas appellate courts |
A felony case can touch both
A felony matter may begin with steps in front of a district judge — probable cause, a first appearance, bond — and then be prosecuted in circuit court. More about felony cases.
Appeals move upward
A district court judgment is appealed to circuit court, and that appeal can involve a trial de novo — the case heard fresh rather than reviewed on a transcript. More about appeals from district court.
Sources: Arkansas Judiciary (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed: September 16, 2026