The
judicial branch interprets, or explains, the laws through the
court system. The highest, or most important, court in the
judicial branch is the state supreme court, which acts as head
of the state judicial system. The supreme court consists
of a chief justice (judge) and six other justices, all elected
to eight-year terms. The supreme court hears appeals from
lower courts. An appeal is an attempt to change a decision
or ruling that was made in a lower court. The court of
appeals hears these cases before they reach the supreme court.
Many cases begin in circuit court. The circuit court
system hears both criminal and civil cases. Civil cases
involve disputes over property, documents, and labor, among
other things. Criminal cases involve crimes such as
murder, drugs, or theft. There are 20 circuit court
districts in Arkansas. Each circuit court judge serves a
four-year term.
Arkansas Supreme Court
Members
Chief Justice Jim
Hannah Justice Tom Glaze Justice Don Corbin
Justice Robert Brown
Justice Anabelle Clinton Imber Justice Betty Dickey
Justice Jim Gunter
Arkansas State Government
