Arkansas Mock Trial Rules

South

AR · Capital: Little Rock

Evidence Rules

Arkansas Rules of Evidence

Citation: Ark. R. Evid.

Arkansas Rule 501 provides a broader physician-patient privilege than the FRE, which has no general physician-patient privilege
Arkansas retains the corroboration requirement for accomplice testimony in criminal cases
Arkansas Rule 611(c) is more restrictive on leading questions during direct examination than the federal counterpart

Rule	Description
Ark. R. Evid. 503	Recognizes a psychotherapist-patient privilege broader than the federal Jaffee v. Redmond holding
Ark. R. Evid. 803(25)	Provides a hearsay exception for statements of a child victim of sexual abuse under specific conditions

Civil Procedure

Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure (Ark. R. Civ. P.)

Criminal Procedure

Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure (Ark. R. Crim. P.)

Arkansas uses Circuit Courts as the trial courts of general jurisdiction across 23 judicial circuits
Arkansas permits interlocutory appeals on class certification decisions under Ark. R. App. P.–Civil 2(a)(9)
Mandatory arbitration for civil cases under $25,000 in certain judicial districts

Civil Jury Size

Criminal Jury Size

Unanimity Required

Civil juries consist of 12 jurors; parties may agree to fewer
Criminal felony cases require 12 unanimous jurors
Three-fourths majority (9 of 12) sufficient for civil verdicts under Ark. Const. Art. 2, § 7

Experience a realistic courtroom simulation using Arkansas rules and procedures.