Union County District Court to reopen for pleas and arraignments

State District Judge Jack Barker will begin receiving pleas and arraignments beginning Monday, May 18 at 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., to continue through Thursday, May 21. All persons who have received citations to appear in district court for traffic and criminal citations issued by law enforcement agencies that have been pending since the court’s postponement due to the COVID-19 outbreak should have recently received a notice by mail addressed to the last known address of the recipient with date and time certain to appear in court. If you have not received a notice, or if you have any questions, contact the Union County District Clerk’s office at 870-864-1950.

The Court will be strictly following the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Phase 1 Guidelines for Reopening and Returning to In-Person Proceedings. This shall require each visitor who appears and seeks entry into the court facility to undergo a temperature screening and answer a brief medical questionnaire similar to the same type of questions utilized by medical facilities. All visitors are advised to wear face masks. Face masks will be provided to those visitors who do not have one. Social distancing will be strictly enforced with only a minimum number of persons allowed into the justice facility and courtroom at any time. Good hygiene shall be maintained at all times. Court personnel will use a public address system outside the building to call the names of each person according to the court’s docket.