Melanie Martin

Professional career

• Before her current role, she was Judge of the Little Rock District Court Criminal Division from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2024, also covering Pulaski and Perry Counties.
• Melanie Martin is the Circuit Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Seventh Division in Arkansas, elected in 2024 and re‐elected in 2026 for a full six‐year term
• Early Career: held the role of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit after admission to the Arkansas Bar; later promoted to Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2005.
• Circuit Judge, Division 7, Sixth Judicial Circuit, covering Pulaski and Perry Counties
• Leadership Roles: Division Chief for multiple divisions, representative to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violence Reduction Network, and Peer Reviewer for the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Academic: Adjunct professor at UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law, teaching Lawyering Skills and Trial Advocacy

Education

Additional information

• She was elected without opposition in 2024, took office January 1, 2025, and was re‐elected in March 2026 for a term beginning January 1, 2027.
• She was elected to that position in 2018.
• Extensive bench and jury trial experience in general, juvenile, drug, domestic violence/sexual assault, gang, major crime, and homicide/capital cases.
• Community Service: President of the Pulaski County Bar Association, board member of the Pulaski County Bar Foundation, and active in various judicial and civic organizations.