The prosecuting officer of a criminal case -- who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses -- is referred to as the Attorney General (or "D.A.") in most states. The prosecutor's office works with local law enforcement to obtain evidence in cases, initiate criminal charges in court, and prosecute cases to trial. Arkansas calls their D.A.'s "District Prosecuting Attorneys."

Learn about the role of Arkansas' District Prosecuting Attorneys and how to contact your regional prosecutor below.

The Role of Arkansas District Prosecuting Attorneys

If you're facing criminal charges, the first thing to understand is that, even if the prosecuting attorney's office is willing to work with you to resolve your case before trial, they're ultimately your adversary in the process. This means that anything you share with them, or with their investigators, can be used against you at trial.

This relationship is one of the reasons why the right to counsel is so important in our criminal justice system. In fact, your rights to an attorney are so critical that prosecutors are often hesitant to speak or negotiate with you directly without an attorney present. After all, any infringement on that right can be the basis for a successful appeal if you're later convicted of a crime.

Communicate With an Arkansas District Prosecuting Attorney

Although communicating with a D.A.'s office can be tricky, when it's done through a criminal defense attorney, it could yield some important benefits for your case. For example, it could lead to a plea bargain deal, which could resolve your case without the need for trial. However, there are times when accepting a plea agreement may not be in your best interests, especially if you have a strong case for trial. This will depend on the evidence in your case and whether the prosecution can prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, all of the elements of the crime or crimes charged.

Reaching out to the D.A.'s office may also reveal their theory of the case and the evidence that they plan to rely on at trial. This isn't something they would just volunteer to you, but an experienced defense attorney would be able to pick up on this during any negotiations. This, in turn, can help to shape your defense strategy by, for example, focusing your efforts to discredit the primary piece of evidence used by the D.A. at trial. This can also give you some insight into your chances of success at trial.

Arkansas Attorney General

The Arkansas Attorney General represents the entire state in litigation and other legal matters and also enforces laws protecting state residents.

Directory of Arkansas District Prosecuting Attorneys

Arkansas is divided into 28 judicial circuits, each covering at least one county. The following links will help you get in touch with the appropriate prosecuting attorney's office.

Note: Although we strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state, this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.

Talk to a Lawyer Before Talking to an Arkansas District Attorney

Before you speak with the local prosecutor's office or a criminal investigator, you should always meet with a criminal defense attorney so that you understand your rights and how to protect them throughout the process. Get in touch with an experienced Arkansas criminal defense attorney near you today to discuss your case and get personalized legal advice.