Mountain Home Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Mountain Home, Arkansas?
Arrest records in Mountain Home, Arkansas are classified as public documents pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the presumption that government records shall be open to public inspection except as specifically exempted by law.
Members of the public may access these records as part of the state's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability. The Arkansas Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access such information, noting in Arkansas Department of Correction v. Shults, 2017 Ark. 300, that "the FOIA was enacted wholly in the public interest and is to be liberally interpreted to the end that its praiseworthy purposes may be achieved."
Law enforcement agencies in Mountain Home are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request, subject only to specific statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in certain narrowly defined circumstances.
How to Look Up Mountain Home Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which interested parties may obtain arrest records in Mountain Home. The procedures established by local authorities conform to state regulations regarding public records access:
Mountain Home Police Department: Individuals seeking arrest records may submit requests in person at the department headquarters located at 424 W. 7th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a standard FOIA request form and may be required to present identification. The department can be reached at (870) 425-6336 for inquiries regarding record availability.
Baxter County Sheriff's Office: This agency maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, including those in Mountain Home. Requests may be submitted at 904 Highway 62 W, Mountain Home, AR 72653. The Records Division is accessible Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Contact (870) 425-7000 for procedural information.
Baxter County Circuit Clerk: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained at the Baxter County Courthouse, 1 East 7th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office can be reached at (870) 425-3475.
Arkansas State Police: For arrests conducted by state officers within Mountain Home, records may be requested from the Arkansas State Police, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and can be reached at (501) 618-8000.
Online Access Systems: The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a partial database of court records through its CourtConnect system. While not comprehensive for arrest records, it provides case information for arrests that resulted in court proceedings.
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, agencies must respond to records requests within three business days. Fees for copies may be assessed in accordance with Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3), which permits charging "actual costs of reproduction."
Contents of a Mountain Home Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Mountain Home law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations. These documents generally include:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Residential address at time of processing
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest-specific information:
- Date, time, and geographic location of apprehension
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Booking number and facility information
- Custody status and bail determination
- Preliminary hearing scheduling information
Biometric data:
- Fingerprint classifications and impressions
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Distinguishing physical characteristics including tattoos, scars, or marks
Case disposition information:
- Charging decisions by prosecutorial authorities
- Court case numbers for associated proceedings
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Final disposition of charges
The comprehensiveness of these records is governed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations promulgated pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-201, which establishes standards for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Mountain Home
Arkansas law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be sealed or expunged, thereby removing them from public accessibility. The legal framework for expungement in Mountain Home is established primarily through Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, known collectively as the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
Arrests not resulting in charges: Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1409, individuals arrested but never charged may petition for expungement after a waiting period of one year from the date of arrest.
Dismissed charges: When charges are dismissed or nolle prossed, Arkansas Code § 16-90-1410 permits immediate eligibility for expungement.
Completed diversion programs: Successful completion of court-approved diversion programs may qualify for expungement under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1405.
Certain misdemeanor convictions: After completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period (typically five years), specific misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for sealing under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1405.
Select non-violent felonies: A limited category of non-violent felony convictions may qualify for expungement after completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period of five years, as specified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1406.
The procedural requirements for expungement in Mountain Home include:
- Filing a Uniform Petition for Sealing of Record with the Baxter County Circuit Court
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $50, though fee waivers may be available)
- Service of the petition on the prosecuting attorney
- Attendance at a scheduled hearing before the circuit judge
- Issuance of an Order of Expungement if the petition is granted
Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes, including enhancement of subsequent offenses and determination of eligibility for certain occupational licenses, despite being removed from public access.
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