Arkansas Traffic Court Records Search
Traffic court is a very integral part of the state's legal system that primarily deals with driving violations. This court primarily handles traffic violations, DUIs and the corresponding legal proceedings. Arkansas Traffic Court records have a multitude of utilities including legal defenses, insurance evaluations, and driver record abstracts. Traffic violations, while criminal infractions, are still considered criminal acts that are heard in the smaller criminal courts in the respective district or county. Records for a person's traffic violation convictions can be accessed through the respective District Courts.
Types of Courts Handling Traffic Citations in Arkansas
While District Courts are the primary Traffic Courts within each Arkansas county, some of the more serious traffic cases involving DUIs and reckless driving incidents, can be heard by the Circuit Courts. Here is a breakdown of what courts hear the various cases:
1). District Courts: District Courts are the main traffic courts of the state. This division has jurisdiction over criminal infractions and minor misdemeanor cases, which include most traffic violations such as speeding, running a red light, and DUIs. The AR District Courthouses are organized by county, with each county having one and the largest counties having more than one.
2. City Courts: Some cities in Arkansas have their own City Courts which handle traffic violations within the city limits. However, the scope and authority of City Courts are generally limited compared to District or Circuit Courthouses. City Courts typically deal with violations of municipal ordinances, which include some traffic-related offenses. For example, Little Rock Arkansas Traffic Court, handles cases within the city limits of Little Rock.
3. Circuit Courts: While Circuit Courts mostly hear more serious criminal cases, they may also hear traffic-related cases such as certain DUI and reckless driving felony cases. This division is also utilized if a traffic violation is contested and escalated from the District level. Additionally, if any other traffic citation involves felony charges, the case would be heard in Circuit Court.
How to Lookup an Arkansas Traffic Ticket
If you want to lookup an Arkansas traffic ticket, you have more than one option. First, you can visit the respective District Courthouse website and access the case where the traffic ticket was filed. The AR Judiciary Branch also has an online search tool called eTicket. Users can access traffic tickets and pay their fines using this platform. If you are looking to lookup your complete driving record history, including all traffic citations, then you can visit the AR Department of Finance and Administration. They offer access to driver history reports using their online platform. These detailed driver records can be accessed for a fee.
How to Fight an Arkansas Traffic Ticket
If you want to fight your traffic citation because you believe you have been wrongly cited, you have the option to fight the citation in court. Here’s the general process to fight a ticket:
1). Make a Plea: After receiving a traffic citation, you can either pay for fine and plea guilty, or petition the case in court. If you plead not guilty, you will be given a court date to appear before a judge, as well as giving the issuing police officer a chance to show up and give their account of the incident.
2. Prepare Your Case: Before your court date, gather all relevant evidence that supports your case. This might include photographs, witness statements, or any other documentation that can help prove your innocence. It is also advisable to consult with or hire a traffic attorney, especially if the violation is severe or if you are unfamiliar with court procedures.
3. Court Appearance: You will need to present your case in front of a judge, and possibly the issuing officer that might also appear to testify against you. Both sides will present evidence and arguments. After hearing both sides, the judge will make a ruling. If the judge finds you not guilty, the charges will be dismissed. If you are found guilty, you may face fines, points on your driving record, or other penalties.
Are Traffic Tickets Considered Public Record in Arkansas?
Yes, in fact they are considered public records in every state in the US. These can be resources through the respective county courthouses or through third party public record sites. All you need to lookup someone's traffic tickets are their name, or the respective citation number.
