Arkansas Criminal Records

Arkansas criminal records are official documents that detail a person's interactions with law enforcement and the state's criminal justice system. Recent data indicates that Arkansas has a violent crime rate of approximately 6.45 incidents per 1,000 residents, considered one of the highest recorded violent crime rates across the country. The state's overall crime index is also around 30.97 per 1,000 residents.

Arkansas criminal records typically include information on arrests, warrants, criminal charges, court case outcomes, sentencing details, and jail/incarceration history. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) administers the state's criminal history records central repository and is responsible for providing criminal justice information services to authorized entities in Arkansas. Notwithstanding this, various other state and local agencies in Arkansas also create and offer access to criminal records, including the Arkansas State Police, local police departments and county sheriff's offices, trial courts within the state's judicial branch, and the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Are Criminal Records Public in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, most criminal records are publicly accessible under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), allowing interested members of the public to access this information. However, certain records are exempt from disclosure due to privacy laws and legal restrictions. These include juvenile records, sealed records, records of ongoing investigations, and witness/confidential informant identities. Certain sensitive information and personal identifiers, like Social Security numbers, medical information, and details on abuse victims, may also be redacted. Likewise, criminal record information maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center is specifically exempted from the FOIA and restricted to criminal justice agencies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Arkansas?

While the Arkansas Crime Information Center is the state's central repository for criminal history records, access to most of the data maintained by this agency is restricted to authorized criminal justice officials for law enforcement purposes. However, non-criminal justice entities (including members of the public) may access official criminal record information through the Arkansas State Police (ASP) using one of the following options:

• Criminal Background Checks: This option is available to entities that are mandated by law to perform a criminal history check (such as for employment, licensing, or immigration purposes) and individuals who have the signed consent of the person whose records they wish to access. Requests may be submitted using the ASP's Online Criminal Background Check (CBC) System (the creation of a user account is required for this) or by submitting an appropriate background check form to the ASP at

  Arkansas State Police

  Identification Bureau

  1 State Police Plaza Drive

  Little Rock, AR 72209

  Fees are determined by the type of request and request method (online vs. in-person/mail-in) and typically range from $11 - $25 per background check.

• Open Criminal History Searches: This option is available to the general public and involves submitting a search request to the ASP online via its Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) System. Requesters will be required to provide the full name, sex, and date of birth of the person whose records they wish to look up, and also pay a nonrefundable $24 fee per name searched/result viewed. Note that criminal record information obtainable via this system will be limited to felony and misdemeanor convictions, open felony arrests that are less than three years old, and details on whether the person is a registered sex offender or required to register as one.

You may contact the Arkansas State Police at (501) 618-8000 for more information or assistance regarding looking up Arkansas criminal records.

How To Search Arkansas Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Arkansas are created and maintained by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest (primarily local police departments and sheriff's offices, but also state-level agencies like the Arkansas State Police). These arrest records typically include details such as:

• The arrestee's full name and age/date of birth
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The alleged offense(s) that resulted in the arrest
• Details on the arresting officer and the law enforcement agency involved
• Booking information (which may include mugshots and fingerprints), as well as bail or bond information, if applicable

Individuals who wish to look up Arkansas arrest records can typically do so by contacting the specific law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and submitting an official records request to them. Some police departments and county sheriff's offices also offer online access to limited arrest information, such as recent arrest logs or booking information, on their official websites. In addition, statewide records on open felony arrests less than three years old may be accessed online using the Arkansas State Police's ARCH System (note that fees apply). 

How To Search Arkansas Warrants?

An Arkansas warrant is a judicial order issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to take specific actions. Common types of warrants issued in Arkansas include:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued upon probable cause that an individual has committed a crime and authorize law enforcement to take that person into custody.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued for individuals who fail to appear in court or violate a court order and authorize law enforcement to apprehend and detain the person pending further court orders.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime and seize personal property from this location. Search warrants are also issued based on probable cause, similar to arrest warrants.

Arkansas does not offer a statewide warrant search option, and information on any warrants issued in the state typically has to be accessed through the issuing court or the local law enforcement agency in the county where the warrant was likely issued. Some counties may also provide online lists or searchable databases that may be used to access information on individuals with active/ outstanding warrants. It should be noted that while most warrants in Arkansas generally remain active until they are served or recalled by the court, search warrants typically have to be executed within a reasonable timeframe, usually specified by the issuing judge.

Can I Obtain an Arkansas Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may access another person's criminal history record information in Arkansas by submitting a request to the Arkansas State Police online via its Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) System. You will need to provide the person's first and last name, sex, and date of birth. There is a nonrefundable fee of $24 per name searched or result viewed (for searches that return multiple names). Be aware that criminal history record information available through this system is limited to felony and misdemeanor convictions, open felony arrests from the past three years, and a notification on whether the person is a registered sex offender or required to register.

The Arkansas State Police also offers third-party access to official criminal history records through an Online Criminal Background Check (CBC) System. However, this service is limited to entities/organizations that are required to perform criminal history checks under state law and third-party requesters who have the signed consent of the record's subject. Queries may be directed to the ASP at (501) 618-8000.

How To Expunge or Seal Arkansas Criminal Records

Individuals with criminal records in Arkansas may get these records sealed in line with the provisions of the state's Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013 (as codified under Title 16, Chapter 90, Subchapter 14 of the Arkansas Code). This process results in the criminal records being treated as confidential and thereby restricted from public view (note that the records aren't destroyed and may still be accessed by authorized parties, including law enforcement and certain employers).

Individuals who wish to get their records sealed in Arkansas typically have to take the following steps:

• Confirm that the record can be sealed. Certain types of records are statutorily deemed ineligible for the record sealing process. These include:
• Violent felonies
• Sexual offenses where the victim was less than 18 years old
• Class Y felonies
• Class A or B felonies that are not drug offenses
• Unclassified felonies that carry a maximum sentence of more than 10 years
• Meet all required eligibility criteria. These include completing the imposed sentence and any stipulated waiting periods (a waiting period of up to five years may be required for certain crimes, while others may be sealed immediately after the imposed sentence is completed).
• Gather necessary documentation. These include a copy of your Judgment and Commitment Order (you may obtain this from the court that imposed the sentence), as well as a copy of your criminal record and proof that you have completed all imposed sentences.
• File a petition to seal in the court where you were sentenced. Forms are typically available at the court clerk's office, and the Arkansas Crime Information Center provides access to necessary petition forms online.
• Serve a copy of the filed documents to the relevant arresting and prosecuting agencies. These parties typically have 30 - 90 days to file an opposition to the petition.
• Attend any scheduled hearings. This usually happens if the arresting or prosecuting agency files an opposition to the sealing request.
• Receive the court's decision. If the petition is granted, an order to seal will typically be filed with the court clerk and copies sent to all relevant agencies.

It is advisable to get legal advice before initiating the record sealing process to ensure a hassle-free process.

What Are the Limitations To the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Arkansas?

Certain laws regulate how employers, licensing boards, and landlords in Arkansas may use criminal history information to ensure fair opportunities for individuals with past convictions. For instance, federal agencies and contractors operating in Arkansas are prohibited under the Fair Chance Act from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until after extending a conditional job offer. Likewise, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires private employers to obtain written consent before conducting a background check and must notify applicants if adverse actions are taken based on the report.

In addition, Section 17-3-102 of the Arkansas Code outlines licensing restrictions and specifies offenses that disqualify individuals from receiving a professional license in the state. Under this law, licensing boards must also have clear terms for license refusals and may evaluate whether a conviction is substantially related to the duties of the profession before denying a license. Arkansas also generally adheres to federal employment and housing guidelines that discourage blanket exclusions based on criminal records and promote individualized assessments of applicants.

Can I Access Arkansas Criminal Records for Free Online?

While some third-party websites may claim to offer free access to Arkansas criminal records, the accuracy and reliability of the information on these sites can vary. For official and up-to-date criminal record information, it is best to utilize official resources like the ARCH and Search ARCourts systems, or reputable platforms that aggregate data from verified sources, like ArkansasPublicRecords.us.