Arkansas Court Rules
Arkansas Court Rules
✓ current as of August 2026Full text of 433 rules across 7 sets, cross-linked with Arkansas case law.
Ark. R. App. P. Crim. 19 rules
- Rule 1. Right of Appeal
- Rule 2. Time and Method of Taking Appeal
- Rule 3. Appeal by State. [Electronic record filings. See In re Final Rules, 2020 Ark. 421.]
- Rule 4. Time for Filing Record, Contents of Record
- Rule 5. No Bond for Costs
- Rule 6. Bail on Appeal
- Rule 7. Appeal After Confinement
- Rule 8. Exceptions and Motion for New Trial Unnecessary
- Rule 9. Acquittal Barring Prosecution
- Rule 10. Automatic Appeal and Mandatory Review in Death- Sentence Cases; Procedure on Affirmance
- Rule 11. Proceedings on Reversal
- Rule 12. Deduction of Confinement Under Prior Conviction
- Rule 13. Judgment for Costs
- Rule 14. Matters to Be Considered on Appeal
- Rule 15. Action to Be Taken on Appeal
- Rule 16. Trial Counsel’s Duties with Regard to Appeal
- Rule 17. Time Extension When Last Day for Action on Saturday, Sunday or Holiday
- Rule 18. Uniform Paper Size
- Rule 19. Motions Requesting Copy of Record or Brief
Ark. R. App. P. Civ. 12 rules
- Rule 1. Scope of Rules
- Rule 2. Appealable Matters; Priority
- Rule 3. Appeal — How Taken
- Rule 4. Appeal — When Taken
- Rule 5. Record; Time for Filing
- Rule 6. Record on Appeal
- Rule 7. Certification and Transmission of Record. [Electronic record
- Rule 8. Stay Pending Appeal
- Rule 9. Extension of Time When Clerk’s Office Is Closed
- Rule 10. Uniform Paper Size
- Rule 11. Certification by Parties and Attorneys; Frivolous Appeals; Sanctions
- Rule 12. Substitution of Parties
Ark. Dist. Ct. R. 11 rules
- Rule 1. Scope Of Rules
- Rule 2. Jurisdiction And Venue Unaffected; Right To Jury Trial
- Rule 3. Commencement Of Action
- Rule 4. Complaint
- Rule 5. Service Of Complaint
- Rule 6. Contents Of Answer; Time For Filing
- Rule 7. Jurisdiction; Effect Of Counterclaim, Cross-Claim, Or Third-Party Claim; Transfer
- Rule 8. Judgments; How Entered
- Rule 9. Appeals To Circuit Court
- Rule 10. Procedure In Small Claims Division
- Rule 11. Uniform Paper Size
Ark. R. Crim. P. 186 rules
- Rule 1.1. Title
- Rule 1.2. Scope
- Rule 1.3. Purpose and Construction
- Rule 1.4. Computation of Time
- Rule 1.5. Prosecutions in Name of State
- Rule 1.6. Definitions
- Rule 1.7. Effective Date and Application
- Rule 1.8. Criminal Magistrates
- Rule 1.9. Compliance with Administrative Order 19–Confidential Information
- Rule 2. Pre-Arrest Contacts
- Rule 2.1. Definitions
- Rule 2.2. Authority to Request Cooperation
- Rule 2.3. Warning To Persons Asked To Appear At A Police Station
- Rule 3. Detention Without Arrest
- Rule 3.1. Stopping and Detention of Person: Time Limit
- Rule 3.2. Advice as to Reason for Detention
- Rule 3.3. Use of Force
- Rule 3.4. Search for Weapons
- Rule 3.5. Stop of Witness to Crime
- Rule 4. Arrest: General Provisions
- Rule 4.1. Authority to Arrest Without Warrant
- Rule 4.2. Authority to Arrest with Warrant
- Rule 4.3. Arrest Pursuant to Warrant: Possession of Warrant Unnecessary
- Rule 4.4. Procedures on Arrest
- Rule 4.5. Limitations on Questioning
- Rule 4.6. Procedures on Arrest: Prompt Taking to Police Station
- Rule 4.7. Recording Custodial Interrogations
- Rule 5. Release by a Law Enforcement Officer Acting Without an
- Rule 5.1. Definitions
- Rule 5.2. Authority to Issue Citations
- Rule 5.3. Form of Citation
- Rule 5.4. Procedure for Issuing Citations
- Rule 5.5. [Repealed.]
- Rule 6. Issuance of Summons in Lieu of Arrest Warrant
- Rule 6.1. Authority To Issue Summons
- Rule 6.2. Form of Summons
- Rule 6.3. Service of Criminal Summons
- Rule 7. Arrest with a Warrant
- Rule 7.1. Arrest with a Warrant: Basis for Issuance of Arrest Warrant
- Rule 7.2. Form of Warrant
- Rule 7.3. Return of Warrant And Summons; Execution After Return
- Rule 8. Release by Judicial Officer at First Appearance
- Rule 8.1. Prompt First Appearance
- Rule 8.2. Appointment of Counsel
- Rule 8.3. Nature of First Appearance
- Rule 8.4. Pretrial Release Inquiry: In What Circumstances Conducted
- Rule 8.5. Pretrial Release Inquiry: When Conducted; Nature of
- Rule 8.6. Time for Filing Formal Charge
- Rule 8.7. Use of Video Conferences in Pretrial Proceedings
- Rule 9. The Release Decision
- Rule 9.1. Release on Order to Appear or on Defendant’s Own Recognizance
- Rule 9.2. Release on Money Bail
- Rule 9.3. Prohibition of Wrongful Acts Pending Trial
- Rule 9.4. Notice of Penalties
- Rule 9.5. Violations of Conditions of Release
- Rule 9.6. Commission of Felony While Awaiting Trial
- Rule 10. General Provisions
- Rule 10.1. Definitions
- Rule 10.2. Permissible Objects of Seizure
- Rule 11. Search and Seizure by Consent
- Rule 11.1. Authority to Search and Seize Pursuant to Consent
- Rule 11.2. Persons from Whom Effective Consent May Be Obtained
- Rule 11.3. Search Limited by Scope of Consent
- Rule 11.4. Items Seized: Receipt
- Rule 11.5. Withdrawal or Limitation of Consent
- Rule 12. Search and Seizure Incidental to Arrest
- Rule 12.1. Permissible Purposes
- Rule 12.2. Search of the Person: Permissible Scope
- Rule 12.3. Search of the Person: Search of Body Cavities
- Rule 12.4. Search of Vehicles: Permissible Circumstances
- Rule 12.5. Search of Premises: Permissible Circumstances, Time and Scope
- Rule 12.6. Custodial Taking of Property Pursuant to Arrest; Vehicles
- Rule 13. Search and Seizure Pursuant to Warrant
- Rule 13.1. Issuance of Search Warrant
- Rule 13.2. Contents of Search Warrant
- Rule 13.3. Execution of a Search Warrant
- Rule 13.4. Return of a Search Warrant
- Rule 13.5. Execution and Return of Warrants for Documents
- Rule 13.6. Issuance and Execution of Warrants for Illegally Possessed Pictures
- Rule 14. Vehicular, Emergency and Other Searches and Seizures
- Rule 14.1. Vehicular Searches
- Rule 14.2. Search of Open Lands
- Rule 14.3. Emergency Searches
- Rule 14.4. Seizure Independent of Search
- Rule 15. Disposition of Seized Things
- Rule 15.1. Custody of Seized Things: Retention by Seizing Officer
- Rule 15.2. Motions for Return or Restoration of Seized Things
- Rule 15.3. Custody of Seized Things: Freshly Stolen Goods; Perishables
- Rule 15.4. Custody of Seized Things: Report of Seizure
- Rule 15.5. Effect on Civil Remedies
- Rule 16. Evidentiary Exclusion
- Rule 16.1. Scope of Rule
- Rule 16.2. Motions to Suppress Evidence
- Rule 17. Disclosure to Defendant
- Rule 17.1. Prosecuting Attorney's Obligations
- Rule 17.2. Prosecuting Attorney's Performance of Obligations
- Rule 17.3. Material Held by Other Governmental Personnel
- Rule 17.4. Discretionary Disclosures
- Rule 17.5. Matters Not Subject to Disclosure
- Rule 18. Disclosures by Defendant
- Rule 18.1. The Person of the Defendant
- Rule 18.2. Medical and Scientific Reports
- Rule 18.3. Nature of Defense
- Rule 19. Regulation of Discovery
- Rule 19.1. Investigation Not to Be Impeded
- Rule 19.2. Continuing Duty to Disclose
- Rule 19.3. Custody of Materials
- Rule 19.4. Protective Orders
- Rule 19.5. Excision
- Rule 19.6. In Camera Proceedings
- Rule 19.7. Failure to Comply: Sanctions
- Rule 20. Procedure Before Trial Omnibus Hearing
- Rule 20.1. General Procedural Requirements: Policy Statement
- Rule 20.2. Setting of Omnibus Hearing
- Rule 20.3. Omnibus Hearing
- Rule 20.4. Pretrial Conference
- Rule 21. Joinder of Offenses and Defendants
- Rule 21.1. Joinder of Offenses
- Rule 21.2. Joinder of Defendants
- Rule 21.3. Failure to Join Related Offenses
- Rule 22. Severance of Offenses and Defendants
- Rule 22.1. Timeliness of Motion; Waiver; Double Jeopardy
- Rule 22.2. Severance of Offenses
- Rule 22.3. Severance of Defendants
- Rule 22.4. Failure to Prove Grounds for Joinder of Defendants
- Rule 23. Authority of Court to Act on Own Motion
- Rule 23.1. Consolidation; Severance of Defendants and Offenses
- Rule 24. Receiving and Acting Upon the Plea
- Rule 24.1. Scope of Article
- Rule 24.2. Aid of Counsel
- Rule 24.3. Pleading by Defendant
- Rule 24.4. Advice by Court
- Rule 24.5. Determining Voluntariness of Plea
- Rule 24.6. Determining Accuracy of Plea
- Rule 24.7. Record of Proceedings
- Rule 24.8. Pleading to Other Offenses
- Rule 25. Plea Discussions and Plea Agreements
- Rule 25.1. Propriety of Plea Discussions and Plea Agreements
- Rule 25.2. Relationship Between Defense Counsel and Defendant
- Rule 25.3. Responsibilities of the Trial Judge
- Rule 25.4. Discussions, Agreements, Statements, Pleas and Judgments Not Admissible
- Rule 26. Plea Withdrawal
- Rule 26.1. Plea Withdrawal
- Rule 27. The Trial Calendar
- Rule 27.1. Priorities in Scheduling Criminal Cases
- Rule 27.2. Assignment of Cases
- Rule 27.3. Continuances
- Rule 28. Limitations, Excluded Periods, and Consequences
- Rule 28.1. Limitations and Consequences
- Rule 28.2. When Time Commences to Run
- Rule 28.3. Excluded Periods
- Rule 29. Special Procedures: Person Serving Term of Imprisonment
- Rule 29.1. Prosecutor's Obligations
- Rule 30. Consequences of Denial of Speedy Trial
- Rule 30.1. Absolute Discharge
- Rule 30.2. Waiver
- Rule 31. Right to Trial by Jury
- Rule 31.1. Waiver of Trial by Jury: Assent by Prosecutor
- Rule 31.2. Waiver of Trial by Jury: Personal Request
- Rule 31.3. Waiver of Trial by Jury: Waiver by Counsel or Agent
- Rule 31.4. Waiver of Trial by Jury: Capital Felonies
- Rule 31.5. Discretionary Withdrawal of Waiver
- Rule 32. Selection of Jurors
- Rule 32.1. List of Prospective Jurors
- Rule 32.2. Voir Dire Examination
- Rule 32.3. Alternate Jurors
- Rule 33. Motions for Directed Verdict and Other Trial Procedures
- Rule 33.1. Motions for Directed Verdict
- Rule 33.2. Sentencing and Entry of Judgment
- Rule 33.3. Posttrial Motions
- Rule 33.4. Custody and Restraint of Defendants and Witnesses
- Rule 33.5. Note-Taking by Jurors
- Rule 33.6. Instructions and Verdict Forms
- Rule 33.7. Additional Instructions
- Rule 34. Juror Orientation
- Rule 34.1. Juror Orientation
- Rule 35. Judicial Comment
- Rule 35.1. Judicial Comment on Verdict
- Rule 36. Appeals from District Court to Circuit Court
- Rule 37. Other Post conviction Proceedings and Relief
- Rule 37.1. Scope of Remedy
- Rule 37.2. Commencement of Proceedings; pleadings
- Rule 37.3. Nature of Proceedings; Summary Disposition; Appointment of Counsel; Evidentiary Hearings; Presence of Petitioner
- Rule 37.4. Relief [Reinstated and Revised — See Publisher's Notes]
- Rule 37.5. Special Rule for Persons Under Sentence of Death
- Rule 38.1. [Broadcasting or Publishing by News Media.]
Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 39 rules
- Rule 1-1. Hours and Places of Meeting
- Rule 1-2. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
- Rule 1-3. Uniform Paper Size
- Rule 1-4. Clerk’s Office Business Hours
- Rule 1-5. Contempt
- Rule 1-6. Employees of the Court
- Rule 1-7. Practice Absent Specific Rule
- Rule 1-8. Courtesy electronic copies
- Rule 2-1. Motions, Petitions, and Responses, General Rules
- Rule 2-2. Motion for Rule on Clerk
- Rule 2-3. Petitions for Rehearing
- Rule 2-4. Petitions for Review
- Rule 3-1. Preparation of the Record
- Rule 3-2. Items to Be Omitted from the Record
- Rule 3-3. Record in Civil Cases
- Rule 3-4. Record in Criminal Cases
- Rule 3-5. Certiorari to Complete the Record
- Rule 3-6. Disposal of Record and Exhibits
- Rule 4-1. Style of Briefs
- Rule 4-2. Contents of Briefs
- Rule 4-3. Briefs in Criminal Cases
- Rule 4-4. Filing and Service of Briefs in Civil Cases
- Rule 4-5. Failure to File Briefs in Civil Cases
- Rule 4-6. Amici Curiae Briefs
- Rule 4-7. Briefs in Postconviction and Certain Civil Appeals Where Appellant Is Incarcerated and Proceeding Pro Se
- Rule 4-8. Procedure for No-Merit Briefs, Pro Se Points, and Responses in Involuntary-Commitment Cases. [ABOLISHED]
- Rule 5-1. Oral Arguments
- Rule 5-2. Opinions
- Rule 5-3. Mandate
- Rule 6-1. Extraordinary Writs, Expedited Consideration, and Temporary Relief
- Rule 6-2. Appeals Prosecuted for Purposes of Delay
- Rule 6-3. Anonymity in Certain Appellate Proceedings, Opinions
- Rule 6-4. Motion Requesting Disqualification
- Rule 6-5. Original Actions
- Rule 6-6. Pauper’s Oath and Motions for Attorney’s Fees in Criminal Cases
- Rule 6-7. Taxation of Costs
- Rule 6-8. Certification of Questions of Law
- Rule 6-9. Rule for Appeals in Dependency-Neglect Cases
- Rule 6-10. Trial counsel’s duties with Regard to Dependency-Neglect Appeals
Ark. R. Civ. P. 90 rules
- Rule 1. Scope of Rules
- Rule 2. One Form of Action
- Rule 3. Commencement of Action; “Clerk” Defined; Separate Actions and Filing Fees; Notice of Medical Injury
- Rule 4. Summons and Service of Process
- Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers
- Rule 6. Time
- Rule 7. Pleadings and Motions
- Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading
- Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters
- Rule 10. Form of Pleadings
- Rule 11. Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Sanctions
- Rule 12. Defenses and Objections; When and How Presented; by Pleading or Motion; Motion for Judgment on The Pleadings
- Rule 13. Counterclaim and Cross-Claim
- Rule 14. Third-Party Practice
- Rule 15. Amended and Supplemental Pleadings
- Rule 16. Pretrial Procedure; Formulated Issues
- Rule 17. Parties Plaintiff and Defendant
- Rule 18. Joinder of Claims and Remedies
- Rule 19. Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication
- Rule 20. Permissive Joinder of Parties
- Rule 21. Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties
- Rule 22. Interpleader
- Rule 23. Class Actions
- Rule 23.1. Actions by Shareholders
- Rule 23.2. Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
- Rule 24. Intervention
- Rule 25. Substitution of Parties
- Rule 26. General Provisions Governing Discovery
- Rule 26.1. Electronic Discovery
- Rule 27. Depositions Before Action or Pending Appeal
- Rule 28. Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken
- Rule 29. Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedures
- Rule 30. Depositions Upon Oral Examination
- Rule 31. Depositions Upon Written Questions
- Rule 32. Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings
- Rule 33. Interrogatories to Parties
- Rule 34. Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection and Other Purposes
- Rule 35. Physical and Mental Examination of Persons
- Rule 36. Requests for Admission
- Rule 37. Failure to Make Discovery; Sanctions
- Rule 38. Jury Trial of Right
- Rule 39. Trial by Jury or by the Court
- Rule 40. Trial Settings and Continuances
- Rule 41. Dismissal of Actions
- Rule 42. Consolidation; Separate Trials
- Rule 43. Taking of Testimony
- Rule 44. Proof of Official Record
- Rule 44.1. Determination of Foreign Law
- Rule 45. Subpoena
- Rule 45.1. Subpoena for Interstate Depositions and Discovery
- Rule 46. Exceptions Unnecessary
- Rule 47. Jurors
- Rule 48. Number of Jurors — Verdict
- Rule 49. Verdicts and Interrogatories
- Rule 50. Motion for Directed Verdict and for Judgment Notwithstanding Verdict
- Rule 51. Instructions to Jury; Objection
- Rule 52. Findings by the Court
- Rule 53. Masters
- Rule 54. Judgments; Costs
- Rule 55. Default
- Rule 56. Summary Judgment
- Rule 57. Declaratory Judgments
- Rule 58. Entry of Judgment or Decree
- Rule 59. New Trials
- Rule 60. Relief from Judgment, Decree or Order
- Rule 61. Harmless Error
- Rule 62. Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment
- Rule 63. Disability of a Judge
- Rule 64. Addition and Withdrawal of Counsel
- Rule 65. Injunctions and Temporary Restraining Orders
- Rule 65.1. Security; Proceedings Against Sureties
- Rule 66. Receivers
- Rule 67. Deposit in Court
- Rule 68. Offer of Judgment
- Rule 69. Execution Discovery
- Rule 70. Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title
- Rule 71. Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties
- Rule 72. Suits in Forma Pauperis
- Rule 77. Courts and Clerks
- Rule 78. Motion Day and Hearings on Motions
- Rule 79. [Abolished.]
- Rule 80. Admissibility of Testimony at Prior Trial
- Rule 81. Applicability of Rules
- Rule 82. Jurisdiction and Venue Unaffected
- Rule 83. [Abolished.]
- Rule 84. Uniform Paper Size
- Rule 85. Title
- Rule 86. Effective Date
- Rule 87. Limited Scope Representation
- Rule 88. Virtual and Blended Court Proceedings
Ark. R. Evid. 76 rules
- Rule 101. Scope
- Rule 102. Purpose and Construction
- Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence
- Rule 104. Preliminary Questions
- Rule 105. Limited Admissibility
- Rule 106. Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
- Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
- Rule 301. Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings
- Rule 302. Applicability of Federal Law in Civil Actions and Proceedings
- Rule 303. Presumptions in Criminal Cases
- Rule 401. Definition of “Relevant Evidence”
- Rule 402. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible - Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible
- Rule 403. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time
- Rule 404. Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct, Exceptions - other Crimes
- Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character
- Rule 406. Habit - Routine Practice
- Rule 407. Subsequent Remedial Measures
- Rule 408. Compromise and Offers to Compromise
- Rule 409. Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses
- Rule 410. Pleas and Offers
- Rule 411. Admissibility of evidence of victim’s prior sexual conduct
- Rule 412. Past necessary medical care, treatment, or services
- Rule 501. Privileges Recognized Only as Provided
- Rule 502. Lawyer-Client Privilege
- Rule 503. Physician and Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege
- Rule 504. Husband-Wife Privilege
- Rule 505. Religious Privilege
- Rule 506. Political Vote
- Rule 507. Trade Secrets
- Rule 508. Secrets of State and Other Official Information - Governmental Privileges
- Rule 509. Identity of Informer
- Rule 510. Waiver of Privilege by Voluntary Disclosure
- Rule 511. Privileged Matter Disclosed Under Compulsion or Without Opportunity to Claim Privilege
- Rule 512. Comment Upon or Inference from Claim of Privilege - Instruction
- Rule 601. General Rule of Competency
- Rule 602. Lack of Personal Knowledge
- Rule 603. Oath or Affirmation
- Rule 604. Interpreters
- Rule 605. Competency of Judge As Witness
- Rule 606. Competency of Juror as Witness
- Rule 607. Who May Impeach
- Rule 608. Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness
- Rule 609. Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime
- Rule 610. Religious Beliefs or Opinions
- Rule 611. Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation
- Rule 612. Writing or Object Used to Refresh Memory
- Rule 613. Prior Statements of Witness
- Rule 614. Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses by Court
- Rule 615. Exclusion of Witnesses
- Rule 616. Right of Victim to be Present at Hearing
- Rule 701. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
- Rule 702. Testimony by Experts
- Rule 703. Basis of Opinion Testimony by Experts
- Rule 704. Opinion on Ultimate Issue
- Rule 705. Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion
- Rule 706. Court Appointed Experts
- Rule 801. Definitions
- Rule 802. Hearsay Rule
- Rule 803. Hearsay Exceptions - Availability of Declarant Immaterial
- Rule 804. Hearsay Exceptions - Declarant Unavailable
- Rule 805. Hearsay Within Hearsay
- Rule 806. Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Declarant
- Rule 901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification
- Rule 902. Self-Authentication
- Rule 903. Subscribing Witness’ Testimony Unnecessary
- Rule 1001. Definitions
- Rule 1002. Requirement of Original
- Rule 1003. Admissibility of Duplicates
- Rule 1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Contents
- Rule 1005. Public Records
- Rule 1006. Summaries
- Rule 1007. Testimony or Written Admission of Party
- Rule 1008. Functions of Court and Jury
- Rule 1009. Translation of Foreign-Language Documents and Recordings
- Rule 1101. Rules Applicable
- Rule 1102. Title