Serving Washington and Madison Counties, Arkansas
I’m running to continue my service as your Juvenile Judge because every child deserves safety, every parent deserves fairness, and every family deserves the chance to heal and thrive for generations to come.
Juvenile Judge Dawn Egan's Journey
Reflecting on her decision to seek election, Judge Egan said, “For most of my career, I’ve stood for children who didn’t have a voice in the courtroom. They needed someone to speak up for them to make sure their safety was a top priority. That experience shaped who I am and taught me the importance of fairness, compassion, and accountability."
"Continuing my service as Judge is a natural extension of that lifelong commitment to standing up for those who need it most, while also holding people accountable and protecting the integrity of the court.”
Before attending law school, Judge Egan served as a forensic crime scene investigator for law enforcement. Judge Egan is a member of the Arkansas and Washington County Bar Associations and is known for her depth of experience, integrity, and longstanding dedication to families in Northwest Arkansas.
Judge Egan lives in Washington County with her high school sweetheart and husband of 39 years, Ted Egan. Their adult daughter, Shayna, lives nearby with her husband Joshua. Egan is also an active member of Cross Church in Fayetteville.
I was born in California in 1964 and raised by a single mom after my parents divorced. Growing up in those circumstances taught me resilience, responsibility, and the value of hard work from an early age. Before attending law school, I served in law enforcement as a crime scene investigator and fingerprint examiner. That experience gave me a deep respect for the challenges our law enforcement professionals face every day and a strong commitment to supporting the critical work they do to keep our communities safe.
Tap to Read More
I’ve been blessed to be married to my high school sweetheart, Ted, for almost 40 years. Through all of life’s seasons — raising a family, building our careers, celebrating joys, and walking through challenges — he has been my constant partner and best friend. We’ve built a life together rooted in love, faith, and commitment to our family and community. This photo is one of my favorites because it captures not just a moment in time, but the laughter, loyalty, and love that have carried us through nearly four decades together.
Dawn and Ted
I hope you will consider supporting my candidacy — there are so many opportunities to get involved! Whether it’s displaying a yard sign or sharing my message with friends and family, every effort makes a difference. Together, we can ensure families and children in our community have the fair and compassionate court they deserve. Please let me know if you’d like a campaign yard sign — I’d be honored to have your support.
Campaign Fun!
I’ve had such an enjoyable time meeting voters across this multi-county election! Every conversation has reminded me how much people care about their families and their communities, and it has been an honor to listen and share my vision for the court. Ted has always been my biggest supporter and my best friend. He knows the long hours I dedicate each week to ensuring the Court runs efficiently, while also giving my full attention and compassion to every child and parent who comes before Juvenile Court.
Campaigning
One of my first jobs out of school was serving as a crime scene investigator, studying the details of evidence and fingerprint analysis. I worked alongside many incredible public servants in law enforcement. Public service is a privilege, and a hard work ethic is required at all times. I come to work each day ready to help solve problems, just as I did as a forensic specialist.
Law Enforcement
I hope you can see that my life has not been one of privilege, but one shaped by curiosity to solve problems, fierce loyalty to friends and family, faith in our Creator, and a deep compassion for the good in our community. Each day, I work to bring hope and positivity to children and families facing their hardest struggles — and I consider it a true privilege to serve in that way.
Real Life
Raising our daughter
My husband Ted and I raised our daughter, Shayna, who had epilepsy. She has been a true treasure in our lives, and we’re blessed she lives nearby. Having a child with medical needs has given me perspective on the importance of qualified professionals in our community. I know what it feels like to fight to be heard and to lie awake at night worrying about your child’s safety. Shayna graduated from the UofA with a degree in German, earned a design certificate, and has worked at Wachter for over 10 years as a project manager. She also speaks up for those around her who aren’t being treated fairly, and I could not be more proud!
The value of my adoption
As a young child, I was raised by my single mother in a modest garage apartment after my parents’ divorce. Life changed when mother married John H. Wyatt, Jr., a lawyer and later judge who adopted me and treated me as his own. He gave me the gift of stability and unconditional love — waking me up with off-key songs, cheering me on at softball games, and serving the community as we delivered Meals on Wheels. His adoption of me, after my biological father gave up his parental rights, forever changed my life.
It taught me that family is not only about blood, but about love, commitment, and showing up for one another. That lesson stays with me to this day — in my own family and in my work as a juvenile judge — where I strive to ensure every child has the chance to feel the security, love, and support that every family should provide.
* Pictured are me and Ted getting married in my dad's hospital room prior to his death.
Monte Mills
As a Juvenile Prosecuting Attorney and longtime advocate for at-risk youth, Dawn Egan has stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with our law‑enforcement heroes to deliver justice and compassion across our community. She’s earned the trust of police, families, and citizens by ensuring that our streets remain safe and our children protected. Judge Egan knows tough love, but more importantly, she knows fairness. Under her leadership, justice is neither soft nor harsh, it’s right. And that’s exactly what Arkansas deserves on the bench.
Jenny Schossow
Judge Dawn Egan is the most dedicated child advocate we’ve ever worked with. Her compassion is matched only by her commitment to accountability. She provides clear expectations, unwavering support, and a genuine desire to see families reunited and children thrive. Her continued leadership as Juvenile Judge is a gift to the entire community.
Charles and Savannah Goins
As foster parents, my wife and I had the privilege of working with Judge Dawn Egan when she served as the Ad Litem Attorney for our children in foster care. Despite a large caseload, she never treated our children as just another case. She knew their needs, fought for their well-being, and ensured their voices were heard. She also took the time to listen to us as foster parents, addressing our concerns and making sure we felt supported through a difficult process. Judge Egan’s dedication and compassion made a lasting impact on our family—and that’s the kind of leadership she continues to bring as Circuit Judge.
Jenny Spelts
Throughout the adoption journeys we had with both of our youngest children, we had the opportunity to work with Dawn Egan.
Her compassion, professionalism, and deep understanding of what children and families truly need made a lasting impact on our lives.
She approaches every situation with fairness, and a big Heart which is essential for a juvenile judge. We wholeheartedly support her and believe she will serve with the same integrity and wisdom, that she is already shown so many families.
Keisha Tuttle
I wholeheartedly recommend that Judge Dawn Egan continue in her role as Juvenile Judge. Judge Egan has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advocating for the best interests of the children who come before her court. Her decisions are guided by compassion, fairness, and a deep understanding of the complex issues affecting today’s youth and families.
What sets Judge Egan apart is her dedication to listening carefully to all details of each case, while also making sure that the children involved have a meaningful voice in the process. She understands that behind every file is a child whose future depends on the court’s ability to act not only justly, but humanely.
Her balanced approach, legal integrity, and unwavering focus on child welfare make her an indispensable asset to the juvenile justice system. Judge Egan’s continued leadership is essential for ensuring that our most vulnerable youth are protected, empowered, and given every chance to succeed
Facts About Your Juvenile Court
Today Juvenile Judge Dawn Egan serves the communities of Washington and Madison Counties in Arkansas.
Dependency Neglect
An Attorney for the Department of Human Services brings a case about a child to juvenile court. It is the job to make sure children are safe and that child protection laws are enforced. The goal of the Dependency-Neglect case is to reunite families, if it is in a child's best interest and the child can safely return home.
Orders of Protection
In Arkansas, an order of protection, often referred to as a restraining order, is a legal mechanism to protect individuals from domestic violence, harassment, or abuse. It's a court order that restricts an abuser's actions and contact with the protected individual, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Divorces
Did you know that Arkansas has the highest divorce rate in America? This high divorce rate is often linked to factors like younger marriage ages, economic challenges, and communication issues between couples.
As judge, I take care to put the interests of children first and do not allow parents to use children as bargaining tokens.
Madison County
I love the people in Madison County, where the people work hard, value family, and understand the pace of living in the country. There are problems in Madison County that need special attention that is the product of broken families. But it is a true privilege to work with the courthouse staff and law enforcement there.
Washington County
Most of my time is invested in the county having the largest population, and thus the most court cases. Our staff in Fayetteville is second-to-none, but we are consistently looking for ways to use time more effectively. Our caseload is among the highest in Arkansas, and that is the reason we have two juvenile judges.
Work Hours
My workweek is typically 60 hours, which is the result of hearings and matters deserving additional time. It is also due to the heavy caseload resulting from the increase in population.
I have a very strong work ethic, so I enjoy investing my time and attention.
I have always believed that hard work results in a greater job and life satisfaction.
