Arkansas County Map: All 75 Counties

Under Article 7 of the Arkansas Constitution of 1874 and modern Amendment 55 (adopted in 1976), the county legislative body is designated the "Quorum Court." Members are elected from single-member districts and retain the traditional common-law title "Justices of the Peace" (JPs), with district counts ranging from 9 to 15 based on county population.

The presiding officer of the Quorum Court is the County Judge, who is elected county-wide at-large. Unlike judicial officers, the modern Arkansas County Judge has virtually no courtroom trial responsibilities (which belong to state Circuit Judges). Instead, the County Judge acts as the chief executive officer, budget director, and highway commissioner.

The County Judge has exclusive original jurisdiction over county roads, bridges, public improvements, and county contracts under Arkansas Code Annotated Title 14.

Ten Arkansas counties maintain two distinct county seats with two separate courthouses: Arkansas County (DeWitt and Stuttgart), Ashley (Hamburg and Crossett historically), Craighead (Jonesboro and Lake City), Franklin (Charleston and Ozark), Logan (Paris and Booneville), Mississippi (Blytheville and Osceola), Prairie (Des Arc and DeValls Bluff), Sebastian (Fort Smith and Greenwood), Yell (Danville and Dardanelle), and Carroll (Berryville and Eureka Springs).

In the 19th century, traversing swollen delta bayous (like the White River or Cache River) or crossing Ozark mountain ridges to register deeds or attend trial could take multiple days on horseback.

The Arkansas General Assembly established dual judicial districts within these counties, allowing residents on either side of geographical barriers to access records without crossing dangerous river crossings.