District courts were formerly known as municipal courts before the passage of Amendment 80 to the Arkansas Constitution in 2000. Act 3 and Act 627 of 2009 created 25 pilot district judgeships in the state, two of which are in Saline County.  The Saline County District Courts exercise countywide jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary felony cases, traffic cases, and in the following civil matters:

a.             Exclusive of the circuit court in contract matters where the disputed amount does not exceed the sum of $100, excluding interest, costs, and attorney’s fees;

b.             Concurrent with the circuit court in contract matters where the disputed amount does not exceed the sum of $25,000, excluding interest, costs and attorney’s fees;

c.             Concurrent with the circuit court in cases for the recovery of personal property where the value does not exceed the sum of $25,000; and,

d.             Concurrent with the circuit court in matters of damage to personal property where the disputed amount does not exceed the sum of $25,000, excluding interests and costs. 

Small Claims Division

A small claims division of the Saline County District Court is administered by the Benton District Court and presided over by Judge Rickard.  The Bryant Department does not have a small claims division.  The small claims division of the Saline County District Court provides a form in which citizens may represent themselves to resolve minor civil matters.  No attorneys take part in the litigation in the small claims division. 

Court Schedule

Plea and arraignment is held the first three Wednesdays of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Time pay reviews and other administrative matters are held the first three Thursdays of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Trials are scheduled on the first three Thursdays of each month beginning at 1:30 p.m.  Civil cases are scheduled as necessary through the civil case coordinator.   Phones are not answered while court is in session.