McGraw v. Crowden

John and Darlene McGraw appeal a Newton County Circuit Court order granting Richard Crowden, Jr., and Jane Crowden a road across their property. We reverse the circuit court's order without reaching the merits of the McGraws' claims, because the circuit court lacked the jurisdiction to enter it.

The underlying facts are not in dispute. The Crowdens own certain real property in Newton County, Arkansas. The Crowden property is bounded on three sides by the Ozark National Forest. The remaining side abuts property owned by the McGraws. Claiming their property was landlocked, the Crowdens initially…