Clark County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clark County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clark County, Arkansas may access publicly available information through ClarkCountyRecords.us as well as through official government repositories maintained at the county and state level. Criminal record data accessible through these channels may include information related to arrests, court case filings, dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration history. The completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the method of access employed.
Records that members of the public may encounter through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Clark County Sheriff's Office
- Circuit court case filings, including criminal charges and case dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail roster and inmate custody information
- State-level criminal history data maintained by the Arkansas State Police
- Sex offender registration records
- Active warrant information (subject to law enforcement discretion)
Criminal records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods describe the primary access pathways currently available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Clark County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of circuit court and juvenile court records. Members of the public may visit the clerk's office in person to inspect criminal case files, including felony and misdemeanor proceedings. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service record lookup.
Clark County Circuit Clerk
401 Clay Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-4281
Clark County Circuit Clerk
2. Sheriff's Office
The Clark County Sheriff maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail custody information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Arrest and booking records are subject to disclosure under Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, with applicable fees for copies.
Clark County Sheriff's Office
401 Clay Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-2222
Clark County Sheriff
3. Online Court Search
The Arkansas Judiciary operates Search ARCourts, a statewide online portal that allows members of the public to search criminal case records by party name, case number, or filing date. Users may access case summaries, charge information, and disposition data. The portal does not include sealed or expunged records, and some older case files may not be fully digitized.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Arkansas State Police, Criminal History Section, serves as the official state repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in some instances fingerprint cards. Processing times vary based on request type and volume.
Arkansas State Police – Criminal History Section
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8500
Arkansas State Police
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Clark County Circuit Clerk or the Clark County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific record type sought. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond to written FOIA requests within three business days.
What Is Clark County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Clark County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Arkansas law, criminal records encompass data generated at each stage of the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition, including any period of incarceration, probation, or parole.
The distinction between record types is significant for access and legal purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether by plea or trial verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve offenses classified as Class A through Class D felonies under Arkansas law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanor records involve Class A, B, or C misdemeanors with lesser penalties.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public disclosure under Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act. Juvenile records are confidential by statute and are not accessible to the general public except under specific circumstances defined in Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest and may be confirmed through the Sheriff's Office. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Clark County include the Clark County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, jail records, and booking data), the Clark County Circuit Clerk (court case files, charges, pleas, and dispositions), the Arkansas State Police Criminal History Section (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments operating within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appellate proceedings.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clark County
Criminal records in Clark County are subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. The Act establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies and courts. As stated in the statute, "It is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that the electors shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are made by such officials on their behalf."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, case filings, and booking information are accessible to members of the public under this framework. The Clark County Arkansas official government website provides access points to county offices responsible for maintaining these records.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed by operation of law
- Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order
- Ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and medical records incorporated into criminal proceedings
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Arkansas FOIA. Individuals seeking federal criminal history information must submit requests through the FBI's Identity History Summary Check program.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clark County Online?
Official County Resources
The Clark County Circuit Clerk maintains court case records accessible through the statewide judiciary portal. Members of the public may search by party name or case number. The Clark County Sheriff provides information regarding current inmates and arrest activity through its official office.
State-Level Resources
The Arkansas Judiciary operates Search ARCourts, which provides a streamlined search tool for Arkansas court cases statewide, including Clark County Circuit Court proceedings. The portal links to documents for some public court records, allowing users to view actual filings. The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate population search allows members of the public to locate individuals currently incarcerated in Arkansas correctional facilities. Additional inmate information, including death row listings and commissary data, is available through the Arkansas Department of Corrections inmates page. The Arkansas ADC inmate search tool permits searches using combinations of identifying information or allows download of the full inmate population dataset.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches yield the most precise results when the number is known
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Note that records predating digitization may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online databases
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event or booking. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online access does not substitute for a certified official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Clark County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Arkansas law mandates that public records be made available for inspection free of charge. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, custodians of records must permit inspection during regular business hours at no cost. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Clark County Circuit Clerk's office and the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
2. Free Online Databases: The Search ARCourts portal is available to the public at no charge for basic case searches. The Arkansas inmate population search is similarly free to access online.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Clark County Sheriff's Office are subject to public disclosure under Arkansas FOIA and may be reviewed at no cost during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $5.00 per document (court-set fee) |
| Photocopy of record | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Official state background check | $22.00 (Arkansas State Police) |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history | $22.00 + fingerprint processing |
| Expedited processing | Varies by agency |
Fee schedules are established by the respective agency and are subject to change. The Arkansas FOIA does not provide for fee waivers based on indigency for standard public records requests, though courts retain discretion in individual circumstances.
What's Included in a Clark County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Clark County criminal record contains the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), most recent known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable. Booking photographs (mugshots) are included in arrest records maintained by the Sheriff's Office.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount set, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Clark County Circuit Clerk include the case number, court jurisdiction, filing date, specific charges and applicable Arkansas statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in circuit court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Charges resolved through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the Arkansas State Police Criminal History Section. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and licensing outcomes, and individuals have a right to challenge incorrect information under applicable state procedures.
How Long Does Clark County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Arkansas record retention schedules govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Arkansas History Commission and the Arkansas State and Local Records Management Division establish retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 3 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; subject to destruction per court order |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County circuit courts retain case files permanently under Arkansas court records retention rules. The Clark County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the state-mandated schedule, which requires a minimum retention period for arrest records regardless of disposition. The Arkansas State Police Criminal History Section retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic copy remains accessible in the state repository.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record following the expiration of its retention period.
- Sealing removes a record from public view but preserves it for law enforcement access.
- Expungement under Arkansas law results in the record being treated as though it never existed for most purposes. Eligibility for expungement is governed by the Arkansas First Offender Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 16-93-301 et seq., and related statutes. Expungement forms and eligibility criteria are available through the Arkansas Judiciary. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes.
Federal Records
Criminal history records maintained by the FBI under the Interstate Identification Index are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not affected by state expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appearing in the Arkansas State Police repository remain accessible indefinitely for background check purposes. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act may report criminal convictions without a time limit, though consumer reporting agencies frequently apply a seven-to-ten year lookback period for non-conviction records. Professional licensing boards in Arkansas may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even if a county agency destroys physical records following the applicable retention period, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.