Court Structure in Arkansas

Friends, I'm Circuit Judge Diane Warren. Many people don't know much about judicial structure in Arkansas, so here is some information to help you understand what being a Circuit Judge means.

In Arkansas, we have District Courts, Circuit Courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. District Courts handle traffic citations and small claims matters. Circuit Courts are the trial courts. They handle Criminal, Civil, Juvenile, Probate and Domestic Relations cases. If a participant believes the judge has made an error in deciding a case in Circuit Court, they can appeal and the case is heard by the Court of Appeals. If the result is still unsatisfactory, they can appeal to the Arkansas Supreme Court. You can find a good visual of the court structure by going to the Arkansas judiciary website at arcourts.gov. Click on "courts" and then click on "court structure." 

Arkansas is divided into numerous judicial districts. Washington and Madison Counties make up the 4th Judicial District. The 4th Judicial District has eight (8) Circuit Judges. Each judge presides over a division. So, In Washington and Madison Counties, we have eight (8) divisions and, therefore, eight (8) judges. I serve as Judge of the 8th Division of the 4th Judicial District. I handle Juvenile, Domestic Relations, Probate and Criminal cases. 

I was elected for the first time in 2020. I am finishing my first term. You'll see me on the ballot listed as Judge Diane Warren. On the ballot, you'll see two other candidates, Circuit Judge Dawn Egan and Joanne Clarie. Why am I listed as Judge Diane Warren and not Circuit Judge Diane Warren? Because that's how I filled out the form when I submitted by petition to get on the ballot. My opponent completed the blank with Circuit Judge Dawn Egan. We are both Circuit Judges and the difference in title does not have any bearing on what we do. We are each a Circuit Judge. Judge Egan currently presides over Division 3. She was appointed to that position when the former judge retired early. I am currently Circuit Judge presiding over division 8 and I am running for re-election to that same seat.

Thank you for your support.