Criminal Defense Attorneys in Little Rock, AR

Charges in Little Rock, from DUI to drug and assault cases, are prosecuted in Pulaski County. An Arkansas-licensed criminal defense attorney serving Little Rock will review your case for free.

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How we match your Little Rock criminal defense case

When you submit a Little Rock criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Arkansas law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Arkansas who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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Criminal Defense cases in Little Rock

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Arrests in Little Rock come from city police, Pulaski County deputies, Arkansas State Police working I-30 and I-630, and campus and hospital security downtown and near UA Little Rock. Misdemeanor charges such as DWI, theft, and simple assault normally begin in Little Rock District Court, while felonies are prosecuted in Pulaski County Circuit Court by the elected prosecuting attorney. Because the federal courthouse for the Eastern District of Arkansas also sits downtown, some drug, gun, and fraud cases are charged federally instead of by the state. DearLegal matches you with an Arkansas-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Little Rock, with a free review.

Misdemeanor cases from Little Rock start in district court, while felony charges move to Pulaski County Circuit Court.
The federal courthouse for the Eastern District of Arkansas is in Little Rock, so some drug, firearm, and fraud cases are charged federally rather than by the state.
Arrests in North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, or Maumelle stay in Pulaski County but run through those cities' own district courts.

Arkansas criminal defense rules at a glance

Little Rock cases run under Arkansas law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Arkansas page.

Read the full Arkansas criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for capital murder, Class Y murder, or rape; 6 years for Class A and B felonies; 3 years for Class C, D, and unclassified (A.C.A. § 5-1-109)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 1 year
1 year for most misdemeanors (A.C.A. § 5-1-109(b)(3))
Sentencing Structure: Presumptive sentencing
Presumptive sentencing under A.C.A. § 16-90-803, with Arkansas Sentencing Commission guidelines and habitual offender enhancements under A.C.A. § 5-4-501
Expungement / Record Sealing: Comprehensive Criminal
Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013, codified at A.C.A. § 16-90-1401 et seq. — broad eligibility for most misdemeanors and many felonies after waiting periods
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail set
Bail set under Ark. R. Crim. P. 8 and 9; constitutional right to bail with exceptions for capital offenses (Ark. Const. Art. II, § 8)
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Little Rock criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Arkansas · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Arkansas are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Arkansas bill hourly or charge flat fees — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Ark. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Flat fees are typical for misdemeanors and most felonies; capital, federal, and lengthy trials usually use hourly billing. The Arkansas Public Defender Commission represents qualifying indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Little Rock criminal defense questions, answered

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It depends on the charge. Misdemeanors and traffic offenses generally begin in district court, while felonies are prosecuted in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Some cases start in district court and move up after a felony charge is formally filed. An attorney can tell you which track your case is on and what happens at the first appearance.

Not without a lawyer. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel, and statements made to explain yourself are routinely used to build the case against you. Politely decline questioning and ask for an attorney. A defense lawyer can handle contact with police and the prosecuting attorney's office on your behalf.

Sometimes. Arkansas allows certain records to be sealed, but eligibility depends on the offense and on waiting periods and conditions that vary, and some charges are never eligible. Because the deadlines and requirements differ case by case, have an Arkansas attorney review your record and confirm what applies to you.

No. Politely decline and ask for a lawyer. Arkansas State Police and local agencies use waiver-of-rights forms aggressively, and once you sign one, anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and your right to counsel under Edwards v. Arizona — police must stop questioning until counsel is present.

Yes. Arkansas Class A misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in county jail and a $2,500 fine under A.C.A. § 5-4-401. Many counties offer pretrial diversion or drug court alternatives that an attorney can negotiate. Convictions affect employment, professional licensing, and firearm rights — and DV misdemeanors trigger the federal § 922(g)(9) ban.