Elkins District Court
The Washington County District Court, Elkins Department ensures court procedures are done properly while respectfully serving citizens.
We have jurisdiction over traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor criminal offenses within the city limits of both Elkins and Goshen, extending to the county limits.
You may file a civil action or a small claim in Elkins Court.
Court Days
Arraignments are held Tuesday afternoons at 1:00pm.
Bench Trials are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2:30 pm.
Civil & Small Claims are heard on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30pm
WARNING: If you fail to appear in court as ordered, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest and your driver's license will be suspended. You can also be jailed and/or fined. For more information, comments, or questions contact us at (479) 643-4170
Note: There is no court on the 5th Tuesday of the month. Court schedule is subject to change for holidays.
Arraignments
Defendants are given the opportunity to respond to charges and plead Guilty to said charges or Not Guilty and are given a court date to meet with the prosecutor.
We do accept Not Guilty pleas over the phone on some offenses. If you wish to call in a Not Guilty plea, you will have to call by no later than noon on your scheduled arraignment date.
If you have been charged with a "Must-appear" Offense, you are allowed to apply for a court-appointed public defender.
Prosecutor Contact Information
If the incident occurred within Goshen City Limits or outside Elkins city limits in Washington County
Contact: Charles Duell
Washington County/ Goshen Prosecutor
Phone: (479) 871-0331 OR (479) 444-1772
cduell@co.washington.ar.us
If the incident occurred within the Elkins City Limits
Contact: Morgan S. Doughty
Elkins City Prosecutor
mdoughty@arkansaslaw.com
Phone: (479)751-6464
Fax: (479)751-3715
If you have any questions, contact the court @ 479-643-4170
Preparing for Court
Before you come to court, here are the things you should bring with you:
- Proper identification (driver's license, Arkansas ID, passport)
- Your copy of the citation
- Appearance letter and/or court documents
- Any receipts regarding your case (i.e., bond receipts, etc.)
- Any documents which prove compliance with the judge's orders and/or sentencing
- Method of payment (check or credit/debit card)
- Do not use nicknames or an alias. Use the same spelling as listed on documents related to the case and ensure spelling on the documents is correct. If they are not, please advise the court.
- Provide the court with your current address
- Appropriate dress is required. No obscene slogans on clothing, hats, or cell phones. Shirt and shoes are required
Court Clerks are not allowed to give legal advice.
Anyone in need of legal advice must contact an attorney
Clerks are often asked by defendants, victims, attorneys, the news media, and other court users for advice as to how the court works. The Clerk has an important role in explaining procedures, but must be careful not to give legal advice, and is not able to recommend attorneys, process servers, etc. Giving legal advice is prohibited as the unauthorized practice of law and may subject the Clerk to criminal charges or liability.
The clerk's primary job is as keeper of the records only and he or she must remain unbiased in that position.
Making a Payment
Due Date
Fines are due in full on the day of court. If you wish to pay your ticket in lieu of going to court, you must do so before 4:15pm the day before your scheduled court date.
Types of Payment
The court accepts in-state check, money orders, cashier's checks and debit/credit cards. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Elkins District Court.
Beginning March 1, 2022, the court is no longer able to accept cash payments per City Resolution No. 2022-2.
If you would like a physical receipt, please enclose a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope and it will be mailed back to you. You can also include your email address with your payment and you receive your receipt to the email you provide.
Payment Options
Payments can be placed in our drop box in the envelopes provided. Be sure to write clearly and include your most up to date contact information should there be any questions on how to apply your payment. You can also include your email address with your payment to have your receipt emailed to you.
If you are not able to pay in full, you may be able to setup a payment plan with a $10 monthly fee. The minimum monthly payments are $35. See Time Payment Agreement.
Web payments can made online via the web or mobile device – 5.0% with $2.99 minimum.
Note: citations made via the live bilingual call center – 7.0% with $2.99 minimum.
Filing Fees
$65 to open a new Small Claims case
Filing a Small Claims case must be $5,000 or less
$80 to open a Civil case
Filing a Civil case must be less than $25,000 which allows a corporation or individual being represented by an attorney to settle disputes.
$10 Writ of garnishment and executions
Other Fees
$2.50 Drawing and issuing or Sealing a Summons or Subpoena
$5 Copy Fee
$10 Certifying a document
All listed fees must be paid to the clerk at the time of filing.
Court News
Elkins District Court
Judge Terra Stephenson
Judge Terra Stephenson was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in History and received her law degree from the University of Arkansas Law School. Judge Stephenson's career has been spent in public service, having first worked as a deputy prosecutor for Washington County.
She serves as a District Court judge with jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanor violations of state law and local ordinances, and civil and small claim matters involving contracts, damage to personal property and recovery of personal property.
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events.
Contact
COURT CLERK’S OFFICE HOURS
Mon - FRI, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Last Payment Taken @ 4:15PM
The District Court is located at 1874 Stokenbury Rd, Elkins, AR 72727 in Elkins City Hall.
All listed fees must be paid to the clerk at the time of filing.
Court-Related Agencies and Other Useful Information
Administrative Office of the Courts
Information - Arkansas Judiciary
Research links - Arkansas Law and Court Rules
https://www.arcourts.gov/
Arkansas Car title, Registration, Plate or other vehicle issue
501-682-4692
Arkansas License, ID, Driving record or insurance verification
501-371-5581
Arkansas Highway Police
10324 Interstate 30
Little Rock, AR 72209
Arkansas State Police
Troop L- Serving Washington County
900 South 48th St.
Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: 479-751-6663
www.asp.state.ar.us
Child Support Clearinghouse
Lowell Child Support Office (serving Washington County)
122 N. Bloomington, Ste. A
PO Box 769
Lowell, AR 72745
Phone 479-770-5443
https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/child-support
City of Goshen
124 Church Street
PO Box 7
Goshen, AR 72735
Phone 479-442-9128
https://www.co.washington.ar.us/government/departments-f-z/public-defender
Legal Aid of Arkansas
1200 Henryetta Street
Springdale, AR 72762
Phone 479-751-002
National Victim Notification Network
VINELink - Receive information on the status of incarcerated individuals by using VINELink- the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network
Public Defender's Office - Washington County
123 N. College Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone 479-444-1595
https://www.co.washington.ar.us/government/departments-f-z/public-defender
Washington County Sheriff
1155 W. Clydesdale Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72701
https://www.co.washington.ar.us/government/departments-f-z/sheriff
Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC)
https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/crime-info-support/arkansas-crime-information-center/
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
Arkansas Legal Services
http://www.arlegalservices.org/
Washington County Public Law Library
Disclaimer
This information is not intended to be a source of legal advice. This web site is not sponsored or associated with any other linked entity. This Web site contains information originating from other organizations and departments, both public and private. This Court does not guarantee the accuracy or sources of any information found on any linked web sites. While every attempt is made to ensure that all information is accurate on our site, we do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness or quality of the content of every source.
We will make every attempt to correct errors as they are brought to our attention.
Documents
Type | Document | Date |
---|---|---|
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Answer and Affirmative Relief (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:20 |
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Complaint (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:23 |
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Counterclaim (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:21 |
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Writ of Execution (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:21 |
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Writ of Execution (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:23 |
Application | Civil and Small Claim – Writ of Garnishment (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:22 |
Application | Deputy Clerk – Job Posting 9/30/2021 (Info) | 2021-09-30 06:14 |
Application | Public Defender Form (Affidavit of Indigency) (Info) | 2020-02-26 09:59 |
Application | Time Payment Agreement (Info) | 2020-04-13 09:06 |
Guidelines | COVID-19 PC Supreme Court Order (Info) | 2020-03-18 12:17 |
Guidelines | Public Defender Information – Chris Birch (Info) | 2020-09-23 06:24 |
Guidelines | Supreme Court COVID-19 PC (4/23/2020) (Info) | 2020-04-25 10:41 |
Ordinance/Resolutions
Ordinance/Resolution | Date |
---|---|
ORDINANCE NO. 2021 – Jail Fees | 2021-05-20 03:24 |
ORDINANCE 04-17-2014 – Collection of Court Fines | 2014-04-16 02:14 |
ORDINANCE 12-20-2012 – Court Payments | 2012-12-20 11:45 |
ORDINANCE 03-03-2011F – Court Fines | 2011-03-17 11:09 |
ORDINANCE 03-02-2006 – Appeal Procedures | 2006-04-06 01:20 |
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-2: Cashless Policy | 2022-01-29 12:43 |
RESOLUTION 2021-04 – Interlocal Agreement for Court | 2021-01-21 10:54 |
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-06 – District Court Fees | 2020-05-22 12:51 |
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-22 – Court Costs, Elkins and Goshen | 2019-12-19 01:33 |