Charges Defended and Differences in Courts


Bentonville Criminal Defense With You in Mind

Are you or a loved one facing criminal charges? Depending on the crime you have been charged with, you may be called to appear in a specific type of court. Our defense attorney has had many successful case results in a wide variety of charges. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, the penalties that these charges carry can have damaging effects on your reputation and future.

Here you will find information on various types of charges I represent clients on. This list is by no means exhaustive, so you should contact my office for information regarding any kind of charge you don't see listed here. Also, I've laid out the differences in the various courts your case could be prosecuted in and a little about what goes on in each. Keep checking back, as I will continue to update this section with useful information! 

We understand that every case is different, so we take the time to investigate every detail of your case to build the best defense possible. 
Schedule a free case review to defend your future.

What Cases are Heard in Arkansas District Court?

District Courts are courts of original jurisdiction in misdemeanor cases. That means a charge of any misdemeanor crime or traffic violation will usually be dealt with in district court. District courts are not courts of records. There are no court reporters, but records of the outcomes of cases are kept. A trial in district court consists of a prosecutor representing the state and a defense attorney representing the defendant.

The trial is a bench trial, meaning the judge hears all the evidence, renders a verdict, and determines the punishment. EVERYTHING has a right to a de novo appeal to circuit court. A de novo appeal means any conviction in district court stemming from either a conviction after trial or even a plea of guilty can be appealed to circuit court and tried all over again like it was the first time.

NW Arkansas has many district courts, including Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and many smaller communities, 
including Pea Ridge, Siloam Springs, West Fork, etc.

What Cases are Heard in Arkansas Circuit Court? 

Circuit Courts are courts of original jurisdiction in felony cases. That means any criminal case that carries with it the possibility of punishment by going to prison starts in circuit court. While defendants have the constitutional right to defend themselves (called "pro se") in any court, it is ill-advised, especially in circuit court. Charges brought in circuit court can be reduced to misdemeanors and "remanded" to district court at the discretion of the prosecutor.

In circuit court you have a right to a bench trial or a jury trial. If charges are kept in circuit court they may be plead with a negotiated sentence agreed to between the prosecutor and defense attorney, tried to the judge in a bench trial, or tried to a jury in a jury trial. With a few limited exceptions a negotiated plea cannot be appealed like it could from district court. However, contested charges tried to the court or a jury can be appealed to the Arkansas Court of Appeals or Arkansas Supreme Court.

NW Arkansas has far fewer circuit courts than district courts. Each county has its own circuit courts, though the number of them, 
called "divisions," vary based on county population.

Why Hire
Cody W. Dowden?

Dedicated to Client Success
  1. 1
    100% Focus on Criminal Law

    Unlike other firms that handle every type of case in the book, I focus exclusively on criminal law. I live and breathe it. You can trust in my focus.

  2. 2
    When You Hire Me, You Get Me

    You won't be passed off to another lawyer or spend all of your time talking to a paralegal. I am your attorney. I'll be there every step of the way.

  3. 3
    Accessible Legal Defense

    Life is busy and it can be hard to take the time you need to meet with your attorney. That's why I offer phone appointments for your convenience.

  4. 4
    Affordable Fees & Payment Plans

    Protecting your legal rights shouldn't take every penny in your bank account. That's why I offer reasonable fees and payment plans.

Aggressive criminal defense you can Trust

Take advantage of a free consultation.

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Felony Penalties
in Arkansas

There are many different types of felonies in Arkansas, with many different types of punishment. Felonies are classified with letters in Arkansas, with a Class D felony being the lowest, class Y being the highest, and Capital Murder carrying the possibility of the death penalty.

This is the possible punishment range for each:

  • Class D: 0-6 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine
  • Class C: 3-10 year in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine
  • Class B: 5-20 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine
  • Class A: 6-30 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine
  • Class Y: 10-40 years or life in prison
  • Capital Murder: life in prison or death

Though the prison sentences are mandated by statute, time may be suspended due to probation or other programs defense counsel may be able to secure.

Whether you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, it is important to seek legal counsel. Schedule a free case consultation to learn about the best options for your case.

Examples of 
Felony Cases

There are many criminal charges that most people don't know are charged as felonies. Possession or Delivery of a Controlled Substance: drug cases are one of the most widely punished classifications of crimes. Drug charges can range from misdemeanors all the way to Class Y felonies, and just about everywhere between. If you care charged with a drug crime, contact an attorney immediately.

DWI 4th offense or higher: DWIs are misdemeanors with increasing levels of punishment until you get to the 4th offense within 5 years, at which point it becomes a felony. As the number gets higher and higher, the punishment is worse and worse.

Theft: there are both misdemeanor and felony levels of theft depending on the value of the stolen goods and/or the type of item stolen. Not every theft is as serious, but it can be.

Certain traffic violations: most people don't think a traffic violation can be a felony, but certain types of fleeing, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and injuring someone in a wreck caused by an intoxicated driver can all cause a case to be filed as a felony.

Misdemeanor Penalties
 in Arkansas

Like felonies, misdemeanors vary widely in levels of punishment, though certain types of charges tend to be punished similarly from court to court, with a few major exceptions. Talking to the right attorney about the nuances of the court you're charged in is an important conversation to have. Misdemeanors are also classified with letters in Arkansas, with a "Violation" being the lowest and class A being the highest.

This is the possible punishment range for each:

  • Violation: up to a $100 fine
  • Class C: up to 30 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine
  • Class B: up to 90 days in jail and/or up to a $1000 fine
  • Class A: up to a year in jail and/or up to a $2500 fine

Examples of 
Misdemeanor Cases

These are common misdemeanor charges I have represented hundreds of clients on. See the section above for corresponding punishment ranges.

  • Disorderly Conduct: Class C
  • Public Intoxication: Class C
  • Criminal Trespass: Class C, unless the location trespassed is an occupiable structure, such as a home or business, in which case the offense is a Class B
  • Fleeing: Class C if on foot, Class B if on foot and the person has a prior conviction for fleeing, Class A if property damage results from fleeing on foot, Class A if fleeing in a vehicle (with a minimum of 2 days in jail required), Class D felony if serious injury results from fleeing on foot, Class C felony if serious injury results from fleeing in a vehicle, and suspension of your driver's license for 6 months to 1 year for any fleeing in a vehicle
  • Theft of Property (including Shoplifting): Class A if property valued at $1000 or less. However, there are MANY different levels of theft that should be discussed with your attorney.
  • Assault: Class B or A, depending on severity, or D felony if aggravated.
  • Battery: Class A if 3rd degree, a felony if 2nd or 1st degree.
  • Domestic Battery: Class A if 3rd degree, a felony if 2nd or 1st degree, or a felony for a second conviction of a 3rd degree.

Take the first step in defending your future and your freedom. Schedule a free,
 no obligation case review now to get started.

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  • Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Contact
Cody W. Dowden Today

479-777-0640
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