Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-2703 (2026)

1. The qualified electors of the Nineteenth Judicial District shall elect:
   1. One (1) circuit judge;
   2. One (1) chancellor; and
   3. One (1) circuit-chancery judge.
2. In the Nineteenth Judicial District, there shall be one (1) additional circuit judgeship which shall have jurisdiction only in law.
3. There is hereby created and established, in addition to all other circuit judgeships, chancery judgeships, and circuit-chancery judgeships in the Nineteenth Judicial District, one (1) additional chancery judgeship which shall have jurisdiction in equity and probate.
4. The chancery judge created pursuant to subsection (c) of this section is authorized to employ a court reporter, a case coordinator, and such other personnel as shall be necessary for the court to effectively and efficiently carry out its responsibilities.
5. 1. The judge of the judgeship created by subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall be the judge of the juvenile division of chancery court. The judge shall serve as judge of the juvenile division in lieu of the judge who would otherwise be designated as judge of the juvenile division of chancery court in the judicial district.
   2. The judge of the additional circuit-chancery judgeship created in subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall devote such time as may be required to perform the duties of judge of the juvenile division, which duties shall be the primary obligation of the judge, and shall sit as judge of the circuit, chancery, or probate court as time permits.

History. Acts 1977, No. 432, § 1; 1981 (Ex. Sess.), No. 38, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 22-365, 22-373; Acts 1989, No. 949, § 4.

A.C.R.C. Notes. Section 19 of Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution provided that all sitting circuit, chancery, and circuit chancery judges at the time the amendment took effect were to continue in office as circuit judges and that circuit courts were to have jurisdiction of all matters previously dealt with by circuit, chancery, and probate courts, including juvenile matters.

As enacted, the 1989 amendment in (b) provided for jurisdiction in law, equity, and probate until July 1, 1989, when this judgeship shall be converted to a circuit judgeship which shall have jurisdiction only in law.

As enacted, the 1989 amendment in (c) began “Effective July 1, 1989.”

Acts 2007, No. 168, § 1, provided: “The Judicial Resources Assessment Committee has reviewed the caseloads of various judicial districts and has determined that to ensure the smooth, efficient, and timely administration of justice additional circuit judgeships are needed in the Second Judicial District, the Nineteenth Judicial District-West, the Twentieth Judicial District, the Twenty-second Judicial District, and the Twenty-third Judicial District. This act authorizes the establishment of five (5) additional circuit judgeships, articulates the applicable appointment and election process of the additional circuit judges, and identifies various resources that will be available.”

Publisher's Notes. Acts 1989, No. 949, § 4, provided, in part, as to the judgeship created in (c), that the Governor shall appoint a person to serve in such position from July 1, 1989, through December 31, 1990, and that the qualified elector shall elect the judge at the November, 1990, General Election to take office on January 1, 1991.