Washington and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney

08/19/2026

Charles Matthew Duell was appointed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve as Interim Prosecuting Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District consisting of Washington and Madison Counties in Arkansas. He will serve from August 4th, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

Charles received both, his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics (1982) and his Juris Doctor Degree (1985), at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma, and is also licensed to practice in the United States District Courts in Arkansas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He has practiced law in each of these jurisdictions.

Charles has practiced law for over 40 years of which 33 of these years have been in public service at the highest levels. The last 22 years he served as a deputy prosecuting attorney at the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Office as both a felony and a misdemeanor prosecutor. Previously, he served 9 years as a public defender in Benton County, Arkansas; and for yet another 9 years in the private practice of law in Fort Smith, and Fayetteville. Charles currently serves as a Special Justice to the Supreme Court of Arkansas for two cases since October of 2025.
As a prosecutor, Charles has trained at the National Advocacy Center, The American Prosecutors Research Institute, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the National District Attorneys Association. As a previous criminal defense attorney, he graduated from the National Criminal Defense College and was one of the first attorneys to be certified by the Arkansas Public Defender Commission as Lead Counsel in death penalty cases.

Charles has been married to his wife, Diana, for 41 years. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.

07/24/2026

A final thank you.

07/19/2026

Thank you for your continued service to Washington County, Sheriff!

07/16/2026

APPLY HERE: https://arcareers.arkansas.gov/job/Fayetteville-DPA-ATTORNEY-AR-72701/1355164400/

07/09/2026

The Northwest Arkansas legal community lost one of its pillars this week. Our hearts go out to the McClure family during this time of loss.

On a personal note - Ed was opposing counsel my very first felony case plea more than 20 years ago. He was an absolute professional to a brand-new DPA who had no idea what he was doing back then, and always remained so though the years. Ed taught me a great deal about practicing law, and how to “disagree without being disagreeable,” a skill that this profession could use more of today.

I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn when I say that we’ll all miss Ed’s presence around the courthouses in the area.

ROGERS -- Those who knew Ed McClure are remembering him not only as a kind and funny person, but a pillar of the community.

06/26/2026

SERIAL RA**ST SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS. Five brave young women testified this week to ensure that DPAs Allison Anderson and Hannah Bell, along with our partners at the Springdale Police Department and Bentonville Police Department, could obtain justice for David Brian Robinson's crimes today.

06/23/2026

This office could not be more proud of the work done over nine days in trial by Chief Deputy Prosecutor Courtney Cassidy and DPA Dylan Weisenfels, and our partners at the Fayetteville Arkansas Police Department, who delivered justice today after a long wait for murder victim Allison Castro. Our community decided today that Kacey Jennings will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder and dismemberment of Allison. This office greatly appreciates the attention and deliberation that the jury gave this case over the last several days.

06/04/2026

05/22/2026

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office for the Arkansas 4th Judicial District is excited to announce the addition of the office's first Investigator. Troy Reed, who was sworn in earlier this week, was selected from a number of qualified candidates. Troy brings many years of law enforcement experience with him to serve the people of this jurisdiction in his new capacity. We are privileged to have him join our staff.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Denis Dean, who has been named Prosecuting Attorney on the other side of the tunnel in Crawford County. The citizens of the 4th Judicial District here in Washington and Madison counties are extremely grateful for your service for over 14 years.

I’m personally grateful to have been privileged to have you as my Chief Deputy during my time as Prosecuting Attorney.

This office wishes you the best best of luck in your new role. The citizens of Crawford County will be well served during your tenure.