Arkansas Criminal Records

Are criminal records public in Arkansas?

Due to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, all government information is public record and can be viewed by anyone. This means that anyone is able to view criminal records, inmate records, sex offender records, jail records, and police records, among other criminal-related matters.

How do I look up criminal records in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Judiciary website uses CourtConnect to view criminal records online. You will need either the case number or party name. All circuit courts use this service in Arkansas.

Another way to find criminal records is through a third-party website. Depending on the state you live in, it can be faster and more convenient to get criminal records this way.

How far does a criminal background check go in Arkansas?

Arkansas is not one of the seven-year states, so there is no limit to how far back a background check will go. A seven-year state is a state that has enacted a law that prevents background checks from going farther back than seven years.

How do I look up conviction records in Arkansas?

Conviction records will be contained inside the criminal record when using the CourtConnect service on the Arkansas circuit court website. Additionally, past convictions will show up on almost all third-party criminal record searches.

What’s the difference between arrest and conviction records in Arkansas?

When you get arrested in Arkansas, this goes on your record. However, you are treated as innocent until proven guilty or convicted of a crime. Arrest records will only show past arrests and don’t prove guiltiness. Conviction records will show the conviction and the sentencing that comes along with it.

Are mugshots public record in Arkansas?

When you get arrested and have mugshots taken of you in Arkansas, these are filed along with your arrest record. Other people have access to these records, which will include your mugshot as well as fingerprints and personal information such as name, height, weight, race, gender, etc.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Arkansas?

Arrests will usually show up on background checks and definitely will if done through the Arkansas Online Criminal Background search. However, certain companies choose not to disclose arrests to protect innocent people who are applying for jobs.

Can employers see your arrest record in Arkansas?

There are no state laws in Arkansas that prevent employers from asking for prior arrests or convictions. However, they are required to provide a copy of all of the information that they obtain about you because of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Are arrest records public in Arkansas?

Arrest records are public information in Arkansas and can be viewed by anyone. This has been controversial in the past because having an arrest record can impact people’s lives for the worse, especially when applying for jobs. However, they are much easier to seal or expunge as compared to convicted crimes.

Can I erase my criminal record in Arkansas?

It is possible to get rid of your criminal record in Arkansas through a process called expungement. Expungement is the erasing of the record, both online and physical. This is in order to give people a clean slate with no crimes on their record if they are eligible.

Are juvenile criminal records sealed in Arkansas?

Most juvenile criminal records in Arkansas will usually be automatically sealed. The one exception to this is if the juvenile was tried as an adult.

Additionally, sealed juvenile criminal records can also be eligible for expungement. This difference between sealing and expunging in Arkansas is that expunging is the actual destruction of the record versus hiding the record from the public.

How long do you have to wait to get your record expunged in Arkansas?

In Alaska, the waiting period to be eligible for expungement depends on the severity of your crime. Misdemeanors can be petitioned to be expunged 60 days after the last day of one’s sentence. Felonies, however, can only be eligible for expungement after five years.

How do I find jail records in Arkansas?

Jail and inmate records can be found in Arkansas via the Arkansas Department of Corrections. They have an online locator tool that allows anyone to find an inmate. You will need either the full name, ADC number, county, facility, offense category, or race.

Are police records public in Arkansas?

Police records are managed by the Arkansas State Police Department and can be viewed by anyone. They contain all information related to crimes that have not been expunged, including mugshots, arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and other things like that.

How do I file an expungement in Arkansas?

To start the expungement process, you must file a petition to the circuit or district court that dealt with your case. To do this, you have to find the Petition and Order to Seal on the Arkansas Criminal Information website. Note that there is only sealing in Arkansas, not expungement. While they are basically the same, this just means that the record will be shielded from the public instead of completely destroyed.

Do I need a lawyer to seal my record in Arkansas?

The sealing process can be pretty lengthy in Arkansas and might cost you a lot of time you don’t have. Getting a lawyer is definitely worth the money as it would take all of the work off of your hands and greatly increase the chances of the sealing going through and having a clean criminal record.

How do I get my arrest record expunged in Arkansas?

Getting your arrest record expunged is much easier in Arkansas and takes up less of your time. The process is the same; you must file a petition to seal the arrest to the court that heard it. However, you are eligible immediately after the case has been heard to file for it.

What can you do after being charged with a crime in Arkansas?

The first thing to do after getting arrested is calling a lawyer. They will be an infinite amount of help and greatly improve the ending result for you after it’s all said and done. They will walk you through what the best course of action is for you and take a lot of the work off of your hands. Depending on how the case goes, there will usually be an arraignment and a plea date provided to you, and then if you plead guilty, a sentencing date.

How long does expungement take in Arkansas?

Expungement in Arkansas will take 4+ months. This is because there is a long turnaround time with gathering the documents, sending them to the court, and then the court deciding. The court legally cannot grant your expungement until considering it for 90 days.

Are inmate records public in Arkansas?

Inmate records are public in Arkansas and can be viewed by anyone. This is part of the Freedom of Information Act in Arkansas and lets people concerned with a certain inmate stay up to date on their whereabouts and sentence. Inmate records contain the facility the inmate is being held at, their remaining sentence, any parole or probation statuses, and their crimes.

Is the sex offender registry public in Arkansas?

The sex offender registry is public in Arkansas. Many people will be interested in checking out the sex offender information that is published through the ACIC. This is useful for law enforcement agencies and families who may be concerned about the presence of these offenders in their community. The state actually requires offenders to register through this system as part of their terms of release. The ACIC also publishes guidelines on how this kind of registry information can be used by different organizations out there. Think about incorporating this information if you need to find out about local sex offenders in your area.

How can I get off the sex offender registry in Arkansas?

To get off the sex offender registry in Arkansas, you must not be an aggravated sex offender or a repeat sex offender. Secondly, 15 years must have passed since the completion of your prison sentence to be able to petition. If you can reasonably prove that you are not a threat, then you can file a petition to be removed from the registry.

What is a misdemeanor in Arkansas?

A misdemeanor in Arkansas is a lesser crime that will only put you a year in jail max. There are three different classes of misdemeanors, A, B, and C, and some misdemeanors are not classified. Things like prostitution, petty theft, cyberbullying, and public intoxication are misdemeanors.

What is a felony in Arkansas?

Felonies are the more serious type of crime in Arkansas and can land you in prison for a reasonable amount of time. There are Class Y, A, B, C, and D felonies, with the most severe being Y and D being the least severe. A felony sentence could range anywhere from a year in prison to a lifetime of imprisonment. Examples of felonies are rape, assault, murder, and robbery.

What felonies can be expunged in Arkansas?

Only felonies beneath Class C are eligible for expungement in Arkansas, with certain unclassified felonies and drug-related felonies being eligible as well. Note that you must wait five years after the end of your sentence to be eligible.

What misdemeanors can be expunged in Arkansas?

All misdemeanors are eligible for expungement. However, certain misdemeanors will need five years of waiting time instead of 60 days. These include indecent exposure, negligent homicide, sexual assault, battery, or driving or boating intoxicated.

How do I find court records in Pulaski County?

The Pulaski Clerk’s office has an online website that allows you to search for court filings. There you can find criminal records or any public information related to the court.