Criminal / Traffic
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my traffic ticket and where can I pay it?
Penalties for traffic and parking violations vary. The Court must have your citation entered into the Court's computer system before any information or prices will be quoted or provided. The Court does not usually receive the citation until the next business day after the citation was written. Please contact the District Court Business Office the following day for more information.
How many points will be placed on my driving record for the traffic charges that I have been cited?
You must contact driver services for this information. The court does not assign points or keep track of the points assessed on driving records.
How can I check the status of a case?
You may contact the District Court Business Office regarding the date and time that your case has been placed on a docket.
Generally, all documents filed in the District Court are a matter of public record and are available for inspection through the District Court Business Office. Some documents are sealed by special court order and can not be viewed by the public, such as ACIC records and driving records.
What happens if I do not make a plea or ignore my ticket?
If you fail to make a plea on each violation shown on your citation, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. For more information on warrants and how to resolve them, please contact the District Court Business Office.
What do I do if I missed my court date?
Contact the District Court Business Office as soon as possible and a deputy clerk will explain your options.
How do I get information about a warrant for my arrest?
You may contact the District Court Business Office or you may contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the warrant was issued in the city division, you may contact the Fort Smith Police Department- Warrant Office. If the warrant was issued in the state division, you may contact the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department- Warrant Office.
Will I be assessed a court cost for appearing in court?
No. The court cost is not a fee for appearing in court, it is a fee that the Court has been mandated by the Arkansas State Legislation to collect upon each conviction. There are no additional fees for appearing in court. The court costs are collected by the Court and forwarded to the State of Arkansas’s Administrative Justice Fund to support various agencies, pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §16-10-305.
Will I get paid as a witness if I have been subpoenaed to court?
No. There are no funds available for paying persons to appear in District Court as a witness or to testify.
Must I appear in court if I was served with a subpoena?
Yes. A subpoena constitutes an Order of the Court, which citizens must obey or be subject to possible punishment of a fine or a jail sentence.
How can I find a lawyer?
If you wish to hire an attorney or obtain legal advice, but you do not know an attorney, you can contact the local bar association for an attorney referral service. Please refer to the court related links for additional information regarding this question.
Can I have a Public Defender appointed to represent me in District Court?
The services of the public defender are appointed to indigent individuals charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense in peril of serving time in jail. Indigence is determined by the Judge.
Can the City or County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office give me personal legal advice?
No. The Prosecuting Attorney serves solely as the legal counsel to the City of Fort Smith or Sebastian County.
What is my duty as a victim?
You must fully cooperate and stay in contact with the prosecuting attorney that has been assigned to handle your case. You will also be required to appear in court to offer evidence in the case. It is imperative that you follow all orders issued by the court, such as a no contact order.
Where can I retrieve information regarding a jail inmate?
District Court will only confirm District Court appearance dates and District Court judgment information regarding inmates being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center. For all other information, you must contact the Sheriff’s Department or the Detention Center.
How do I file a criminal case?
Individuals do not file cases in District Court. A criminal proceeding is initiated by the government, either a prosecuting attorney or a law enforcement agency. Allegations of criminal behavior should be brought to the attention of the local law enforcement agency or discussed with a prosecuting attorney.
Home | General Information | Criminal Traffic | Civil / Small Claims | Community / Alternative Service | Site Map |
District Court of Sebastian County maintains this Web site in order to increase public access to district court information. The information is not intended to be a source of legal advice. This web site is not sponsored or associated with any other linked entity. The existence of any link is simply intended to make other resources available to the reader. This Court does not guarantee the accuracy or sources of any information found on any such web sites. While the Web site is constantly updated and revised in an effort to provide timely and accurate information, we make no guarantees. We will make every attempt to correct errors as they are brought to our attention.
This Web site contains information originating from other organizations and departments, both public and private. While every attempt is made to ensure that all information is accurately referenced on our site, we do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness or quality of the content of every source.
Content authored by Rachel Sims, District Court Clerk. Site designed by Laurie Hinton, Senior Deputy Clerk/Webmaster.
If you have any problems navigating this web site, please contact the Webmaster.