Pulaski County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Pulaski County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Pulaski County.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Pulaski County Criminal Court
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Pulaski County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
I need help for my Pulaski County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Pulaski County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Pulaski County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Pulaski County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Pulaski County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Pulaski County. The Pulaski County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Arraignments in Pulaski County
During an arraignment in Pulaski County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Pulaski County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Pulaski County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Pulaski County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Pulaski County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Mandatory Appearances in Pulaski County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Pulaski County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Pulaski County Criminal Court Locations
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Pulaski County Circuit Court
Address: 401 W Markham St, #100, Little Rock AR 72201
Phone: 501-340-8500 Fax: 501-340-8340 -
Pulaski County District Court – Cammack Village
Address: 2710 N McKinley St, Little Rock AR 72207
Phone: 501-663-4593 Fax: 501-664-4376 -
Pulaski County District Court – Jacksonville
Address: 1412 W Main St, Jacksonville AR 72076
Phone: 501-982-9531 Fax: 501-985-1100 -
Pulaski County District Court – Little Rock 1
Address: 600 W Markham St, Little Rock AR 72201
Phone: 501-371-4739 Fax: 501-371-4515 -
Pulaski County District Court – Little Rock 2
Address: 600 W Markham St, Little Rock AR 72201
Phone: 501-371-4733 Fax: 501-371-4448 -
Pulaski County District Court – Little Rock 3
Address: 500 W Markham St, #112, Little Rock AR 72201
Phone: 501-371-4454 Fax: 501-371-6846 -
Pulaski County District Court – Maumelle
Address: 100 Millwood Circle, Maumelle AR 72113
Phone: 501-851-7800 Fax: 501-851-7427 -
Pulaski County District Court – North Little Rock 1
Address: 200 W Pershing Blvd, North Little Rock AR 72114
Phone: 501-791-8559 Fax: 501-791-8599 -
Pulaski County District Court – North Little Rock 2
Address: 200 W Pershing Blvd, North Little Rock AR 72114
Phone: 501-791-8562 Fax: 501-791-8676 -
Pulaski County District Court – Pulaski County
Address: 3001 W Roosevelt, Little Rock AR 72204
Phone: 501-340-6841 Fax: 501-340-6899 -
Pulaski County District Court – Sherwood
Address: 2201 E Kiehl Ave, PO Box 6256, Sherwood AR 72124
Phone: 501-835-3625 (Small Claims) -
Pulaski County District Court – Wrightsville
Address: PO Box 237, Wrightsville AR 72183
Phone: 501-897-4547 Fax: 501-897-5647