The information contained in this page is offered to help you represent yourself in District Court if you do not have a lawyer, that is you are
"pro se." This is not legal advice and may not apply to every situation. It is strongly recommended that you have a lawyer to consult with or to represent you.
1.You must follow the same rules that a lawyer must follow. If you fail to follow the rules, you may permanently lose important rights. District Court staff is prohibited from giving legal advice.
2. Do not attempt to speak privately to the judge. The judge may only speak to you when both sides are present or given a chance to appear at a hearing.
3. Put requests in the form of a written petition or motion. See the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure for proper form.
4. In order to file a new case you must pay a fee. Personal checks are not accepted. You must have cash or a money order made out to the District Court. Remember that the information you provide on your pleadings is under oath, subject to perjury.
5. All Motions, Petitions or Complaints are filed in the Clerk's Office. The original document will be kept by the Clerk for the Court file. Your copies will be stamped with the date the document was filed. This is your endorsed copy. The clerks can give you the information from the Court file including your case number and what pleadings have been filed. Clerks may not give you legal advice about how to proceed in your lawsuit.
6. "Serve" the opposing party. All contacts with the Court must be served on the person who is against you in your case. A Summons, Petition or Motion and some orders, must be personally served by the Sheriff, or a person who is not a party and who is over the age of eighteen (18) years. See Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. All motions on ongoing cases and correspondence must be mailed to the other party or their lawyer. You must note on your pleading or correspondence when you mailed it to the other party.
7. If you have received a notice of hearing you must be prepared to present all your evidence on the day of the hearing. Bring your witnesses and written evidence. Bring copies of your exhibits. Subpoenas to require witnesses to appear may be issued by the Clerk's Office for any witness you need to prove your case. The Sheriff's office may serve subpoenas for you.
8. Dress with dignity. Do not wear shorts, halter tops, or other distracting clothing.
9. Don't bring children to court unless you have no other choice. Unless a child has been subpoenaed to testify, find a babysitter. Children cannot be allowed to disrupt proceedings in the courtroom.
10. Cell Phones and beepers should be turned off before you enter the Courtroom.
11. Provide a current and reliable mailing address and telephone number to the court clerk and the opposing party. Once you appear in a case you may be notified of hearings or motions by mail only. If you move and your mail fails to reach you, you may permanently lose important rights. You should file a change of address in the court file. The court will only mail notices to the address you provide in the court file.
12. Appear at all scheduled hearings. Arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled hearing. If the other party is asking for relief and you do not appear, they will normally get the relief they are asking for. You may permanently lose your opportunity to be heard on the issue.
13. A hearing or trial is never canceled or postponed until the judge cancels or postpones it. Make sure you have heard from the Court Clerk that you do not need to appear before you fail to appear.
14. If you, or the other party or witnesses, need an interpreter to help understand the hearing, you should inform the Court Clerk. An interpreter will be provided for anyone who needs help understanding English. If you have any other special needs to assist you in participating in your hearing, please inform the Court Clerk as soon as possible after receiving notice of hearing. Every effort will be made to ensure that your access to all services of the court will not be limited.