Poinsett County Court Records Search
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Poinsett County sits in northeast Arkansas, with Harrisburg as its county seat. The county's court system includes the Circuit Court, several district court divisions spread across multiple municipalities, and the County and Probate Clerk's Office — each holding different categories of legal records. The office that has the record you need depends entirely on what kind of case it was and which court handled it.
If you're not sure where to start, ArkansasCourts.us can point you toward state court resources, clerk contact information, and online lookup tools across Arkansas. For direct case searches, the Arkansas Judiciary's Search ARCourts portal gives you free access to publicly available case information — searchable by participant name or case number. If the record you need hasn't been digitized yet, you'll need to contact the appropriate clerk's office in person or by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Poinsett County?
Circuit Court case records are kept by the Circuit Clerk's Office. If you're looking for a district court record — a traffic violation, misdemeanor, or lower-level civil matter — contact the clerk for the specific district court division that handled it.
Poinsett County Circuit & Chancery Clerk — Misty Russell
Address: 401 Market Street, Harrisburg, AR 72432
Phone: (870) 578-4420
Fax: (870) 578-4427
Email: clerk@poinsettcircuitclerkar.gov
The Circuit Clerk also serves as the county's ex-officio recorder, which means this office holds land records alongside court files — deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney, and judgments are all filed here. Some property records can also be searched through LandRecords.net.
Standard Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil/domestic case filing | $165.00 |
| Case reopening | $50.00 |
| Staff-produced copies | $1.00 per page |
| Self-produced copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document |
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes the full statewide circuit court fee schedule covering all filing categories if you need a broader reference.
District Court Locations
One state district judge presides over five geographic divisions in Poinsett County. District court handles criminal misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims up to $5,000, and felony first appearances referred from the Circuit Court.
| Division | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 202 North East Street, Harrisburg, AR 72432 | (870) 578-4110 |
| Trumann | 221 South Melton Avenue, Trumann, AR 72472 | (870) 483-7771 |
| Lepanto | P.O. Box 610, Lepanto, AR 72354 | (870) 475-2415 |
| Marked Tree | 1 Elm Street, Marked Tree, AR 72365 | (870) 358-4580 |
| Tyronza | P.O. Box 275, Tyronza, AR 72386 | (870) 487-2168 |
District Court Session Schedule
Under the court's Administrative Plan, sessions are generally scheduled as follows:
- Mondays — Trumann Division court session and a brief session at the Detention Center
- Tuesdays — Harrisburg Division District Court
- Wednesdays — Tyronza Division (2nd Wednesday of the month; Thursdays for the remainder of the month)
- Thursdays — Split between Lepanto and Marked Tree Divisions
- Fridays — Trumann and Harrisburg (all dockets)
Are Court Records Public in Poinsett County?
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, most Poinsett County court records are open to anyone who asks for them. Both the FOIA and Administrative Order No. 19 start from a clear presumption in favor of public access to records created by government entities — including courts — in the course of their official duties.
That presumption has well-defined exceptions. The following records are shielded from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records
- Sealed documents and expunged records
- Adoption case files
- Grand jury minutes and unpublished judicial drafts
- Records protected by a specific court order, statute, or court rule
- Sensitive personal identifiers — including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth, and personal contact information embedded in otherwise public filings
If a record falls into a restricted category, the clerk's office will let you know a restriction applies without revealing the protected content. Personal identifiers are also routinely redacted from many filings regardless of the overall public status of the case.
Poinsett County Criminal Court Records
Felony cases in Poinsett County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court, which is part of the Second Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers six northeast Arkansas counties: Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett. Twelve circuit judges serve the district across multiple divisions.
Second Judicial Circuit Judges Serving Poinsett County
| Division | Judge | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | Hon. Pamela Honeycutt | Jonesboro | (870) 933-4594 |
| Division 2 | Hon. Richard Lusby | Jonesboro | (870) 933-4548 |
| Division 3 | Hon. Chris Thyer | Jonesboro | (870) 933-4579 |
| Division 4 | Hon. Doug Brimhall | Jonesboro | (870) 604-1313 |
| Division 5 | Hon. Charles "Skip" Mooney, Jr. | Jonesboro | (870) 937-6100 |
| Division 6 | Hon. Tonya Alexander | Marion | (870) 739-8606 |
| Division 7 | Hon. Mary Lile Broadaway | Paragould | (870) 239-6331 |
| Division 8 | Hon. Kimberly Boling Bibb | Paragould | (870) 335-9066 |
| Division 9 | Hon. Melissa Richardson | Jonesboro | (870) 933-4599 |
| Division 10 | Hon. Dan Ritchey | Blytheville | (870) 933-4564 |
| Division 11 | Hon. Randy Philhours | Paragould | (870) 239-6319 |
| Division 12 | Hon. Scott Ellington | Paragould | (870) 565-1549 |
Criminal case records — charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing documents — are kept by the Poinsett County Circuit Clerk and can be searched through the Search ARCourts portal. If you need certified copies of criminal case documents, submit your request directly to the Circuit Clerk's Office at 401 Market Street, Harrisburg.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
Arrest records are generated and held by the arresting law enforcement agency. The Poinsett County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible online inmate roster for the county detention facility, searchable by current bookings. The roster includes booking dates, charges, and bond information for individuals currently held or recently released. For records not available through the online portal, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
Comprehensive criminal history records — including statewide conviction information — are available through the Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check System. Access is generally limited to authorized parties or individuals requesting their own record.
Misdemeanor Criminal Records
Misdemeanor cases heard in Poinsett County District Court are recorded by the clerk of the relevant district court division. The district court also handles felony first appearances, preliminary hearings, and warrant issuances. Contact the appropriate division directly using the table above to request misdemeanor case records.
Poinsett County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Poinsett County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the dollar amount at issue. The district court takes civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000. The Circuit Court handles larger civil actions — contract disputes, real property matters, and debt collection cases above the district court threshold — with no upper monetary limit.
Searching Civil Records
- Online: The Search ARCourts case portal lets you search civil case docket information by name or case number at no cost.
- In person: Visit the Poinsett County Circuit Clerk's Office at 401 Market Street, Harrisburg, during regular business hours. Staff will locate the case file and provide copies at the applicable rate ($0.50/page self-service; $1.00/page staff-assisted; $5.00 for certified documents).
- Written request: Submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk's Office identifying the parties and approximate filing date. Include payment for copy fees.
Small Claims Court
Small claims proceedings are heard within the district court divisions. Per the Arkansas Attorney General's Guide to Small Claims Court, filing fees in Arkansas district courts typically range from $30 to $65, with separate costs for service. You don't need an attorney for small claims, though you're welcome to hire one.
Property Records
The Circuit Clerk's Office records and indexes all land instruments for Poinsett County — deeds, mortgages, and liens are all filed here. The Poinsett County Assessor's Office handles property appraisals and assessment records, with online real estate searches available through the assessor's site.
Poinsett County Assessor
Address: 401 Market Street, P.O. Box 543, Harrisburg, AR 72432
Real Estate Phone: (870) 578-4435
Tax payment records are searchable through ARCountyData.com, which offers a public search of personal property and real estate tax records for Poinsett County.
Poinsett County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and domestic abuse proceedings are all handled in the Circuit Court's domestic relations division and managed by the Poinsett County Circuit Clerk at 401 Market Street, Harrisburg. The standard $165.00 filing fee applies to new domestic relations cases; reopening or modifying an existing domestic order costs $50.00.
Divorce decrees and other domestic relations records that are not sealed can be searched through the Search ARCourts portal or requested in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office. If you need self-help forms for a domestic proceeding, the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide court forms library has standardized documents for circuit court filings.
Marriage Records
Where you request a marriage record depends on how old it is. Records predating 1917 are held locally by the Poinsett County Clerk's Office, which has maintained handwritten marriage records since 1873. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305, marriage records less than 50 years old are restricted to the couple, their parents or legal guardians, legal representatives, and authorized government personnel. Once a record reaches the 50-year mark, it becomes publicly accessible under the FOIA.
Poinsett County Clerk's Office
Address: 401 Market Street, Harrisburg, AR 72432
Phone: (870) 578-4410
Fax: (870) 578-2441
Email: countyclerk@poinsettcounty.us
Marriage records from 1917 forward are available through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Division. Each copy costs $10.00, and the fee is kept as a search charge even if no matching record is found. You can request records by mail, phone at (866) 209-9482, or in person at the ADH office (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM). Mail requests require a completed Marriage Coupon Application, a copy of acceptable identification, and a check or money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health, sent to:
Arkansas Department of Health — Vital Records
Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are filed with the Poinsett County Circuit Clerk. Divorce certificates — summary documents issued by the state confirming that a marriage was dissolved — are available from the ADH Vital Records Division through the instructions on the Order Divorce Records page. The fee is $10.00 per copy. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 20-18-305, divorce certificates are restricted for 50 years from the date of the event; during that period, only the divorced parties, their legal representatives, or those with a court order may obtain copies.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Poinsett County residents are issued exclusively by the Arkansas Department of Health. Birth records are confidential for 100 years; death records carry a 50-year restriction. Both are available only to eligible individuals — generally the subject of the record and their immediate family members.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies (same record, simultaneous order) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $12.00 | $10.00 each |
| Death certificate | $10.00 | $8.00 each |
Birth certificate requests are submitted using the Birth Certificate Application; death certificate requests use the Death Certificate Application. Both can be ordered by mail, phone at (866) 209-9482, or in person at ADH. Valid identification is required for all request methods.
Poinsett County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Poinsett County — decedent estate administration, guardianship appointments, conservatorships, and the filing of wills — fall under the jurisdiction of the County Court. The Poinsett County Clerk's Office holds all probate records: instruments in decedent estate cases, adoption and guardianship files, and the recorded proceedings of the probate court. The County Clerk has maintained probate records going back to at least 1873.
Requesting Probate Records
- In person: Visit the Poinsett County Clerk's Office at 401 Market Street, Harrisburg, AR 72432. Bring the decedent's name and an approximate filing year to help staff locate the record. Copy fees apply.
- By mail: Write to the County Clerk at the address above, identifying the decedent, the approximate year of filing, and the documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copies.
- Online: Probate cases filed in circuit court may appear in the Search ARCourts portal, which is free to search by name or case number.
- Historical records: Older probate records not available in the current system may be accessible through the Arkansas State Archives, which holds microfilmed and digitized collections from Arkansas county courts.
Common Probate Filings in Poinsett County
- Administration of testate and intestate decedent estates
- Probation and recording of wills
- Appointment of personal representatives and executors
- Guardianship petitions for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship appointments for property management
- Adoption records (restricted; not publicly accessible)
The County Clerk's Office also serves as secretary of the Board of Equalization and records quorum court proceedings, making it a broader repository of official county records beyond strictly judicial matters. For genealogical research, FamilySearch notes that the Poinsett County Clerk holds marriage records from 1873 and probate records, while the Circuit Clerk holds divorce, court, and land records — a distinction worth keeping in mind when you're deciding which office to contact first.