A CRIMINAL CASE
Kelly Ward
Kelly Ward serves as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Arkansas’s Sixth Judicial District, covering Pulaski and Perry Counties. She brings over two decades of legal experience grounded in courtroom excellence and public service. A 1998 graduate of Arkansas State University—where she proudly led the school’s dance team— Kelly earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2001.
Kelly spent the first 18 years of her legal career at the office where she now serves as Chief Deputy. She supervised several critical divisions, including the Major Crimes Unit, Juvenile Division, and the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Division. Her leadership helped shape the office’s response to complex and sensitive cases, earning her a reputation for fairness, diligence, and compassion.
In 2019, Kelly transitioned to private practice and co-founded Kamps and Ward, PLLC, a firm focused on domestic relations and criminal defense. Her commitment to justice earned statewide recognition; in both 2021 and 2022, she was named one of Soirée magazine’s “Best Lawyers” in criminal defense.
Kelly’s move to private practice only deepened her dedication to public service. In 2021, she partnered with investigative journalist Mitch McCoy to expose an Arkansas judge who jailed or threatened to jail indigent defendants without appointing legal counsel. The story, titled “Denied”, received both an Emmy and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative journalism. The following year, she testified before the Arkansas Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, advocating for increased public defender resources statewide.
In addition to advocating for the rights of indigent defendants, Kelly maintained her passion for helping victims of crime. In 2021 and 2022, she assisted the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ACASA) in their annual training, promoting trauma informed practices for investigating sexual violence. In 2022, Kelly was not only a trainer but also served on the ACASA Steering Committee.
In January 2023, Kelly returned to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as Chief Deputy. Since then, she has led efforts to redefine the role of prosecutor as public servant—emphasizing prevention, rehabilitation, and accountability. She has advanced initiatives through juvenile and treatment courts, enhanced communication and training with law enforcement and remains on call 24/7 to assist with legal guidance and active investigations.
Her guiding principle—“Does this make our community safer?”—now serves as the office’s operational compass. Through her leadership, Kelly continues to promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and justice for all.
Melissa Brown
Melissa Brown serves as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office, where she has worked since 2012. Over the course of her career, she has prosecuted a broad range of cases, including drug offenses, general crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and homicides.
Melissa holds both associate and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to justice, victim advocacy, and building collaborative, community-based solutions to address complex social issues.
In her leadership role, Melissa oversees First Division Circuit Court and directs the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) Unit. She has played a key role in advancing internal processes and external partnerships to improve case outcomes and support for victims. Notably, she led the development and implementation of a new file review policy that fosters closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies. This initiative has significantly improved the efficiency and timeliness of charging decisions in sensitive cases.
Under her guidance, the office has also strengthened its relationship with the Children’s Protection Center by taking a more active role in the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). This team brings together professionals from the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, the Department of Human Services and Department of Child and Family Services, law enforcement, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, the Children’s Advocacy Center staff, and other MDT partners. The Prosecutor’s Office’s engagement in the MDT has enhanced communication and coordination across agencies, ensuring a more victim-centered approach to child abuse investigations for affected children and families.
Melissa is deeply involved in statewide efforts to protect vulnerable populations. She is an active member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, working to combat online exploitation. She also serves on the steering committee for the development of the Women and Children First Family Peace Center and Shelter in Little Rock—an innovative facility that will offer comprehensive services and a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence and their families.
Melissa’s dedication to public service, her collaborative spirit, and her forward-thinking leadership continue to shape meaningful advancements throughout the office. Through her work, she remains committed to creating safer communities, empowering survivors, and fostering lasting partnerships that prioritize justice, compassion, and accountability.
Casey Beard
Casey Beard serves as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District of Arkansas. She joined the Prosecutor’s Office in 2023, bringing with her a deep-rooted commitment to youth justice and system reform.
Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas and earned her Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law. Her academic foundation fueled a career focused on advancing youth justice and public service in Arkansas.
In this leadership role, Casey supervises all matters related to justice-involved youth and families. She oversees a wide range of services and initiatives both in the office and out in the community. This range includes two juvenile circuit courts, post-adjudication drug court, Veteran’s court, mental health court, and multiple community alliances that support prevention, intervention, diversion, and rehabilitation.
Before becoming a prosecutor, Casey served as a public defender in the juvenile circuit division, where she advocated for youth within the justice system for 20 years. Her experience on both sides of the courtroom gives her a unique and balanced perspective, grounded in compassion and accountability.
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Casey’s work was recognized when she was asked to speak as a change maker at the Office of JUVENILE justice and DELINQUENCY prevention’s national conference. She also regularly appears in interviews and on podcasts where she discusses the critical need for equitable and developmentally appropriate practices in juvenile justice.
Her leadership and expertise have earned her several appointments which include the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Commission for Youth and Families and the Governor’s Youth Justice Reform Board. In her current role, she assists attorneys with juvenile transfer hearings, oversees felony adult probation termination requests, and handles IAD (Interstate Agreement on Detainers) transfers. Additionally, she collaborates around the clock with law enforcement to build stronger cases for trial, ensure investigations follow constitutional standanrds, and cultivate lasting interagency partnerships. She also makes herself available to community members and community partners to offer guidance and assistance navigating the complexities of the justice system. Through her work, Casey remains a steadfast advocate for holistic and community-driven juvenile justice focusing on a two-generation approach that aims to transform the system for the betterment of Arkansas youth and their families.
The partnerships she has both made and cultivated in the two years she has been with the 6th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney’s Office include but are not limited to the following: Restore Hope, 100 Families, MOBS (Mothers of Black Sons), POMC (Parents of Murdered Children), CHH (Center for Healing Hearts), The Dream Center, Carter’s Crew, United Family Services, DYS (Division of Youth Services – residential and community based services), 1st and 45, Little Rock School District - school board members, superintendent, middle and high school principals, Centerpiece, OWHO (Ones Who Have Overcome), members of the local defense bar, all law enforcement agencies in the judicial district, Pulaski County Pre-trial Services, probation/parole/reentry services, licensed professional counseling interns partnering with the juvenile courts, the juvenile circuit courts and their staff, surrounding county counterparts, Little Rock Mayor’s office, North Little Rock City Attorney’s office,
North Little Rock Teen Court, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, and several community church leaders.
On a lighter note, Casey’s office is often referred to as “Casey’s Café” because she opens her doors daily to anyone in the office that needs a caffeine recharge or just a few minutes to decompress from some of the heaviness of the day.
Casey reminds herself daily that it is her job to advocate and protect EVERYONE within the 6th Judicial district. She takes that responsibility to heart and answers the question, “Does this make our community safer?” before making any decisions in her role. She believes this work is an honor and a privilege and does not take one minute of her work for granted.
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Scott Duncan
Scott Duncan is a Senior deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office. A native of Little Rock, Scott joined the office in 2007 after earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri and his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.
Over the course of his career, Scott has built a reputation as one of the office’s most experienced and effective trial attorneys. He has tried more than 70 jury trials in Pulaski and Perry counties, covering a wide range of serious criminal cases, including homicides, violent gun and organized crimes, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and drug offenses. As the lead attorney on over 100 homicide cases, Scott is known for his courtroom skill, strategic case-building, and ability to handle high-pressure litigation with professionalism and precision. He routinely works with law enforcement, forensic experts, and victim advocates, and is regarded for his meticulous trial preparation and compelling advocacy before juries.
Beyond his trial work, Scott has supervised deputy prosecutors for over a decade, and he currently oversees attorneys assigned to the Fifth Division, Ninth Division, and Perry County, ensuring consistent and effective prosecution across these jurisdictions. He is also responsible for handling all extraditions of offenders arrested on Pulaski County warrants outside the state, coordinating with agencies nationwide.
In addition to his work as a prosecutor, Scott is committed to legal education and training. Since 2015, he has served as an adjunct professor at the Bowen School of Law, where he teaches Lawyering Skills II and instructs students on the fundamentals of trial practice. He has also played a key role in training new law enforcement officers, delivering instruction on search and seizure law, courtroom etiquette, and effective testimony—helping bridge the gap between investigative work and courtroom procedure.
Victoria Wadley
Victoria Wadley is a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office. She began her career in public service as an educator, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. During her time at UALR, Victoria was a member of the Trojan Swim Team, serving as the team captain her senior year. From 2013 to 2021, Victoria taught and coached in the Cabot Public School District, where she was known for her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to her students and athletes.
While teaching and coaching full-time, Victoria pursued her passion for the law by enrolling in the part-time program at the William H. Bowen School of Law, graduating in May 2020. She joined the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office in 2021, bringing with her not only a strong work ethic but also a deep, service-driven commitment to the community.
Victoria has prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, including general crimes, violent gun offenses, domestic violence, sexual assault, and homicides. In addition to carrying a caseload, Victoria also supervises the prosecutors assigned to the Seventh and Sixteenth Divisions of Pulaski County Circuit Court.
Beyond her casework, Victoria has led critical internal initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Prosecutor’s Office. She spearheaded the development of a comprehensive training program for new attorneys. She also played a central role in the successful implementation of Karpel, the office’s new case management software, where she continues to lead training and support for both attorneys and staff.
Victoria is ChildFirst certified, a designation that reflects her specialized training in child forensic interviewing and multidisciplinary approaches to child abuse investigations. Through this certification, she has had the privilege to present at the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, helping to educate professionals across the state on best practices in handling sensitive child abuse cases and the role of the prosecutor in these types of cases. Her work in this area demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and advancing trauma-informed practices within the justice system.
Her impact extends into law enforcement training, where she regularly educates law enforcement throughout Pulaski County on legal procedures, prosecutorial expectations, and ethical standards. Her collaborative approach to working with law enforcement agencies has strengthened relationships across the criminal justice system in Pulaski County.
In all facets of her work, Victoria brings a unique blend of compassion, strategic thinking, and leadership. Her background in education enhances her approach to mentorship and training, while her legal acumen and integrity continue to serve the interests of justice.