{"id":371659,"date":"2023-11-14T13:34:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T18:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-14T13:34:44","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T18:34:44","slug":"arkansas-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arkansas District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The first thing to understand when you’re facing criminal charges is that the prosecuting attorney’s office is your adversary. This is the case even if they are willing to work with you to resolve your case before trial. This means that anything you share with them or their investigators can be used against you at trial.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In many states, when a criminal case goes to court, the prosecuting officer representing the government’s interests in pursuing criminal charges is typically known as the district attorney (D.A.). The D.A. works with local law enforcement to gather evidence. They present misdemeanors and more serious charges like violent crimes and DUIs or DWIs in court. They take cases through trial<\/a>. Arkansas calls their D.A.s "district prosecuting attorneys."<\/p>\r\n

Learn about the role of Arkansas’ district prosecuting attorneys and how to contact your regional prosecutor below.<\/p>\r\n

The Role of Arkansas’ District Prosecuting Attorneys<\/h2>\r\n

This is one of the reasons why the right to counsel<\/a>, or your right to a defense lawyer, is so important to the criminal justice system. Your right to an attorney is so crucial that prosecutors often hesitate to speak or negotiate with you unless an attorney is present. After all, any infringement on that right can be the basis for a successful appeal<\/a> if you are convicted of a crime.<\/p>\r\n

Communicate With an Arkansas District Prosecuting Attorney<\/h2>\r\n

Communicating with a D.A.’s office can be tricky. However, doing so through a criminal defense attorney could yield some important benefits for your case. For example, it could lead to a plea bargain<\/a> deal, which could resolve your case without trial. Accepting a plea agreement may not be in your best interest, especially if the prosecution has a weak case. Of course, this will depend on the evidence in your case and whether the prosecution can prove, beyond any reasonable doubt<\/a>, all of the elements of the crime or crimes charged.<\/p>\r\n

Reaching out to the D.A.’s office may reveal their theory of the case and the evidence<\/a> they plan to use at trial. This isn’t something they would volunteer to you, but an experienced defense attorney could pick up on this during negotiations. This information can help to shape your defense strategy. For example, your attorney could focus their efforts on discrediting the evidence used by the D.A. at trial.<\/p>\r\n

Public Defender<\/h2>\r\n

Arkansans with low incomes have access to justice through public defenders and Arkansas legal services.<\/p>\r\n

A public defender offers legal services to individuals charged or convicted of crimes who cannot afford a private lawyer. During the arraignment, a judge evaluates your financial status to decide if you qualify for a public defender’s assistance. If eligible, the judge will assign one to your case.<\/p>\r\n

The office of the public defender is not lawfully permitted to provide legal advice until officially appointed. Public defenders handle criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, and mental health hearings. They can’t help with divorce, child support, or child custody matters.<\/p>\r\n

Public defenders are attorneys. They are members of the Arkansas Bar Association<\/a>. They are licensed by the state of Arkansas. They have the same education and meet the same requirements as attorneys employed by private law firms.<\/p>\r\n

Residents of Arkansas can also benefit from the services of a federal public defender<\/a>. These attorneys defend individuals<\/a> in federal court cases. If you face a federal criminal charge or are under a grand jury investigation, you can ask a federal judge to assign you counsel. The appointment is based on your income. This appointment comes directly from the court.<\/p>\r\n

It’s important to understand the limitations of federal public defenders. They do not:<\/p>\r\n