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1. What is evidence?

Evidence is what you provide to prove the allegations made in your affidavit. The prosecution’s burden of proof for a criminal case is “beyond a reasonable doubt”. Before a charge is filed with the court, the prosecutor will consider the evidence to determine if there is sufficient proof. 

2. What types of evidence should I submit?

The type of evidence you will need to submit depends on the allegations made in your affidavit. There are different types of evidence that can be considered by the prosecutor. Some examples are:

• Photos or video
• Screenshots of text messages or social media posts
• Voicemails or other audio recordings
• Documentation - Court orders, insurance denial letters, emails, etc.                                                                                                                                     
  *NOTE: if you are requesting restitution (repayment or compensation for damages or injuries) documentation must be provided. (bills, estimates, or receipts for out of pocket expenses) 
• Witness statement- a signed written statement from a person who actually witnessed the crime. 
  *NOTE: the witness’ contact information is required for the prosecutor to consider witness testimony.

3. How can I submit evidence?

After you submit the Electronic Affidavit Form, you will receive an email confirmation from the Jonesboro City Attorney’s Office that will contain instructions for submitting evidence.

4. What happens after I file an affidavit and submit evidence?

The prosecutor will review your affidavit, as well as the evidence you provided, to decide if criminal charges should be filed. Your affidavit will then be denied or approved. This step usually takes less than a week. You may check back with the City Attorney’s Office a week after filing to check the status of your affidavit.

5. What if my affidavit is denied?

If the affidavit is denied, the process is over and no criminal charges will be filed.

6. What if my affidavit is approved by the prosecutor?

If your affidavit is approved, it will be sent to the District Court Clerk’s Office to have a summons issued.  

 After a summons is issued, it will be given to the Jonesboro Police Department for service. The police will serve the defendant with a court date, at which they will plea to the criminal charge(s). The length of time this step takes varies and is dependent upon the difficulty of locating the defendant. 

7. When will a No Contact Order be issued?

A No Contact Order will only be issued if there is a criminal charge issued. If your affidavit is denied for criminal charges a No Contact Order cannot be issued by the Judge.

If your affidavit is approved for criminal charges and a summons is issued, the court can issue a No Contact Order which would be served with the summons. A No Contact Order is not valid until it is served on the defendant by a law enforcement official.  

8. What if the defendant pleads not guilty?

If the defendant pleads not guilty on his/her plea date, the case will be set for trial on a future date. It is at the trial stage that you and your witnesses will receive a subpoena to appear at the trial to testify. 

9. What is a subpoena?

A subpoena is a court order requiring an individual’s appearance at a court hearing.

10. What happens at a trial?

At the trial, both sides will have the opportunity to tell the judge what happened and to present witness testimony and evidence. The judge decides whether the person is found guilty and if so, the judge decides the sentence. The sentence could impose jail time, fines, probation, public service work, classes or a combination of these. 

11. Can I dismiss my affidavit?

No, as with all criminal charges, only the prosecutor or the judge has the authority to dismiss a charge. Once the approved affidavit has left the City Attorney’s Office, charges will not be dismissed by the prosecutor. You will be required appear in court.

12. How can I check the status of a case?

If you need to check the status of an affidavit, you may contact the Jonesboro City Attorney’s Office. 

If the affidavit has been approved by the prosecutor, you may check the status of the court case at: caseinfo.arcourts.gov

13. Who should I contact about….?

Evictions or Civil Disputes:

• Your private attorney or if you cannot afford an attorney contact Legal Aid of Arkansas (870) 972-9224
• Craighead County District Court/ Small Claims Division (870) 933-4508 
• Craighead County Circuit Clerk’s Office (870) 933-4530
  
  

Orders of Protection / “Restraining Orders": 

• Contact the Craighead County Circuit Clerk’s Office (870) 933-4530
  
  

Misdemeanors that Occur Outside of the Jonesboro City Limits:

• Bay                               Heather Owens             (870) 417-3035 bayprosecutor@gmail.com
•  Bono                            Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
•  Brookland                    Heather Owens             (870) 417-3035 brooklandprosecutor@gmail.com
•  Caraway                      Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
• Cash                             Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
•  Craighead County       Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
•  Lake City                     Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
• Monette                        Doug Brimhall               (870) 273-8505 dbrimhall@craigheadcounty.org
  
  

Police Reports:
Contact the responding police agency directly

• Jonesboro Police Department    (870) 935-5562
• University Police Department    (870) 972-2093
• Arkansas State Police - Troop C  (870) 935-7302
  
  

Felonies or Juvenile Cases:

• 2^nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (870) 972-4779
• Craighead County Juvenile Court (870) 933-4545
• Craighead County Circuit Clerk’s Office (870) 933-4530 
  
  

Legal Advice (Including Divorce Cases and Child Custody Matters):

Contact your private attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, contact either Legal Aid of Arkansas (870) 972-9224 for civil matters or the Public Defender’s Office (870) 932-6226 for criminal matters.

Payment Plans or Any Aspect of a Judge’s Sentence:

• Craighead District Court (870) 933-4508
• Court Services (misdemeanor probation) (870) 336-7230
  
  

Reinstatement of Driver Licenses:

• Craighead District Court (870) 933-4508
• Jonesboro Driver Control Office (870) 935-9505
  
  

Bonds or Inmate Information:

• Craighead County Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office (870) 933-4551

*For more information regarding Craighead District Court cases or Craighead Circuit Court cases, please visit: caseinfo.arcourts.gov