Within the Court

Commonly, there is the stereotypical story of someone with a poor, terrible upbringing becoming someone who commits crimes or misdoings as a result of no address or help. What is not as talked about, but just as relevant, is those who grow in a poor environment and grow to want to change and break that cycle. Take Jessica Perew, who has worked her way up from low positions in law enforcement all her life, to then be the Chief Clerk of the District Court in Eureka Springs, with her strong wish for fairness in law in spite of her rocky past.

Born in Martinez, California in 1986, Jessica Perew moved to Berryville, Arkansas at 11 years of age in the summer of 1997. While she does not wish to share the details, she is clear that it was the rough childhood she lived that became the driving force to encourage her to pursue law enforcement. As per her own words, Perew states she “did not have a good upbringing but I did not want to perpetuate this cycle – I wanted to do better.” With losses and struggles in her life, she would go on to have two children, Aiden Perew (born 2006) and Alana Perew (born 2007). Her youngest daughter, Alana Perew, says she can be quite the mother bear, protective and caring to her children. Alana also says this about her mother: “There are not enough words to describe just how important my mother is to me and what a powerful influence she continues to be. Sure her job sometimes affects me and my family, sometimes she isn’t there but we all know she’s doing it for us.”

While anyone, Perew included, can have moments of weakness where burdens build up into a fever pitch, she is always sure to love her children. Her job can be quite stressful and demanding. “it has impacted my family in the sense that I can be tired and cranky,” mostly if the day was particularly challenging with a harsh case or tense environments. As to be expected– it can not be smooth sailing every day when working in law.. Though she tries to not bring the fatigue and exhaustion home.

Now, some may wonder what exactly a Court Clerk is or what they do. To put it simply, it is a person who works intimately with the Court Judge, working to record, file, and maintain proceedings. Court Clerks, like Perew, are there to answer questions and help process defendants, complete paperwork and records, and collect and disburse their fines and restitution. They are to be patient and informative; if someone calls, anxious and unaware of how the Judicial system operates, clerks help them through it, potentially saving much worry for that client. As her duty, Perew does her best to navigate people through the system and ensure they can receive fair and just treatment. Through her position, she helps various people, both the defendant and victim.

A subject that some may wonder about is how someone directly in the court sees the modern system or law overall. There are varying emotions towards the legal system: anger, dismay, confusion, or pure indifference. Perew, herself, has strong feelings towards it: “I think it is unfortunate the system has become so easy to manipulate and I witness it happen constantly.” Having had the past she did, and working in this system for approximately five (5) years, Perew does her best to help people navigate the court system and the viable charges so they can receive just treatment and be as informed as possible. She wishes for change: namely more effective methods of enforcing the law and post-adjudication accountability. Regardless, Jessica Perew sees the Court and legal systems as having a vital role in society, and that clerks are essential to its functioning.