Ark. Code Ann. § 14-55-501 (2026)
Authority generally
The town or city council in all cities or incorporated towns in this state are authorized and empowered to prohibit and punish any act, matter, or thing which the laws of this state make a misdemeanor.
History. Acts 1891, No. 59, § 1, p. 96; 1897, No. 22, § 1, p. 29; C. & M. Dig., § 7496; Pope's Dig., § 9556; A.S.A. 1947, § 19-2410.
Case Notes
Adoption.
Municipal ordinance adopting certain statutory provisions as misdemeanors will be held to have made provisions a part of the valid ordinances of the municipality. Searcy v. Turner, 88 Ark. 210, 114 S.W. 472 (1908).
A printed copy of a municipal ordinance published by authority of the municipality is prima facie evidence of the legal existence of the ordinance and its contents. Heno v. City of Fayetteville, 90 Ark. 292, 119 S.W. 287 (1909).
Fees and Penalties.
A municipality was held entitled to retain all the fees and penalties imposed by the mayor's court for violation of its ordinances, notwithstanding that the ordinances made the same acts offenses as were made offenses against the state by statute, and the county was entitled only to such fines and penalties as were imposed by the mayors of such courts acting in their capacity of justice of the peace for the violation of state laws within their jurisdiction. Incorporated Town of Pocahontas v. State ex. rel. Randolph County, 114 Ark. 448, 170 S.W. 89 (1914).
Penalties fixed by a city must fall within the state minimums and maximums. Ford v. City of Hot Springs, 294 Ark. 435, 743 S.W.2d 394 (1988).