Individuals only
You may represent yourself as an individual. A corporation must be represented by a licensed attorney. Representing yourself does not make you a lawyer — only a license to practice law does that.
From the courts of the 23rd Judicial Circuit
Representing yourself in court
“Pro se” is Latin for “for self.” You appear pro se when you represent yourself in a legal action — in or out of court — without an attorney speaking or writing for you. This page collects what the Circuit Courts of Lonoke County publish for self-represented litigants. It is general information, not legal advice.
The basics
You may be your own lawyer — with eyes open
Arkansas lets an individual represent themselves in circuit court. Before you do, understand exactly what you're taking on.
Same rules as an attorney
You must follow the same rules of law, evidence, and procedure as any licensed attorney. The law can be technical and precise — not knowing what to do, or how, can get your case dismissed or decided against you.
The court cannot help you
The court may not assist you in your self-representation — it must stay fair and impartial. If you are not familiar with the rules of law, evidence, or procedure, you should strongly consider hiring an attorney.
A rule, not a runaround
Nobody at the courthouse can give you legal advice
It can feel unhelpful the first time you hear it, but it protects the fairness of your case:
- The judge — judges are sworn to be fair, impartial, and to treat all persons equally, so they may not engage in ex parte (one-sided) communication. You cannot call the judge or make an appointment to speak with the judge.
- The judge's office — most court employees are not attorneys, are not authorized to practice law, and may not advise you.
- The Circuit Clerk's office — the clerk's job is to keep and maintain the court's records. The office is prohibited from offering legal advice.
What staff can do: the judge's Trial Court Assistant can set a hearing date, and the Circuit Clerk's office can help you find and copy case records.
Getting a court date
If you have an attorney, they handle it. Representing yourself, call the office of your assigned judge and ask for the Trial Court Assistant — they set the hearings, though they can't tell you what to do or expect in court.
Where the courtrooms are
Two courtrooms are in the courthouse at 301 N Center St (first and third floors), and one is at the 2nd Street Court Building, 119 E 2nd St, across the street. Your notice names your courtroom, and a board in the courthouse lists each day's cases.
Which judge hears my case?
Cases are assigned under an Administrative Plan approved by the Arkansas Supreme Court. When your case is filed with the Circuit Clerk, it's assigned to a division under that plan — your paperwork says which.
Appointed counsel
Will the court appoint me an attorney?
Only in certain kinds of cases — and, in most of them, only if you cannot afford one. The court decides based on your income and assets, and the state pays the cost.
Where the accused could be punished with time in jail, prison, or detention, the court will appoint an attorney for a defendant or juvenile who is unable to afford one.
Where the state has removed children from a parent’s home over allegations of abuse or neglect, the court will appoint an attorney for that parent if they cannot afford one.
Where the state seeks to involuntarily commit a person to treatment for mental illness or addiction, the court will appoint an attorney to represent that person.
In matters relating to the best interest of children, the court may appoint an Attorney ad Litem for the child; the cost is at the court’s discretion.
In all other matters you may hire an attorney, but the court is under no obligation to appoint one.
Two quick redirects
Fines from a ticket or citation are handled by the district court named on the ticket (or your probation office, if the fine came with probation). A suspended or revoked driver's license is handled by the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, not the circuit courts.
The 23rd Judicial Circuit
The three divisions in Lonoke County
Each division has its own judge and Trial Court Assistant. Call the division your case is assigned to.
| Division | Judge | Contact | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Division | Judge Barbara Elmore | Trial Court Assistant: (501) 676-3131 Court reporter: (501) 676-3018 · Fax: (501) 676-3034 | Lonoke County Courthouse |
| 2nd Division | Judge Ashley Parker | Trial Court Assistant (Jennifer Manis): (501) 676-3007 lonoke2div@yahoo.com | 301 N Center St, Ste. 101 |
| 3rd Division | Judge Sandy Huckabee | Trial Court Assistant (Margaret Uzzell): (501) 676-3090 Fax: (501) 676-3093 | 301 N Center St, Suite 302 |
As published by the 23rd Judicial Circuit (a site outside lonokear.gov that does not use a secure connection). Case files and filings are with the Circuit Clerk, (501) 676-2316.
Information, not advice
Know the rules before you stand alone
This page is general information published for self-represented litigants. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney.