Arrest records in Springdale, Arkansas are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Springdale, must be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the principle that governmental transparency and accountability are essential to a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public officials and agencies.
The Springdale Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, the general arrest information remains accessible to the public. Individuals seeking such records need not demonstrate a particular need or reason for their request, as the right to access public records is established by statute.
Members of the public seeking Springdale arrest records have multiple avenues available for access. The City of Springdale has implemented several methods to facilitate public access to these records:
Springdale Police Department
201 Spring Street
Springdale, AR 72764
Phone: 479-751-4542
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Requests: The Springdale Police Department maintains an electronic portal through which citizens may submit FOIA requests for arrest records. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), agencies must respond to such requests within three business days.
Dispatch Logs: The department publishes daily dispatch logs that include basic information about police activities, including arrests.
District Court Records: The Springdale District Court maintains records of cases resulting from arrests, which may be accessed at:
Springdale District Court
201 Spring Street
Springdale, AR 72764
Phone: 479-750-8114
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Washington County Sheriff's Office
1155 Clydesdale Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-444-5700
Arrest records maintained by the Springdale Police Department typically contain the following information as prescribed by Arkansas law and departmental policy:
It should be noted that pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, certain arrest records may be subject to sealing or redaction if they pertain to juveniles, victims of certain offenses, or contain information that might compromise an ongoing investigation. Additionally, medical information contained within arrest records is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and may be redacted from public records.
The expungement process in Springdale follows Arkansas state law, specifically Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, which provides mechanisms for sealing certain arrest and conviction records. Individuals may be eligible for expungement under the following circumstances:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that had original jurisdiction over the case. In Springdale, this is typically the:
Springdale District Court
201 Spring Street
Springdale, AR 72764
Phone: 479-750-8114
For felony cases, petitions must be filed with:
Washington County Circuit Court
280 North College Avenue, Suite 300
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-444-1500
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. The prosecuting attorney's office is notified and may contest the expungement. If the court grants the expungement, all records of the arrest and/or conviction are sealed and treated as confidential. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, the individual may then lawfully state that the sealed offense never occurred.
It should be noted that certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under Arkansas law, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and offenses against children. Additionally, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes, such as sentencing for subsequent offenses.
The use of arrest records in Springdale is subject to both state and federal regulations that protect individuals from discrimination. Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., employers, landlords, and other entities that use consumer reporting agencies to obtain background information must follow specific procedures, including:
Arkansas law further restricts the use of expunged records. Under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, it is unlawful to disclose expunged records except in limited circumstances. Violation of this provision may result in civil penalties.
The Springdale District Court provides guidance to individuals regarding their rights concerning arrest records and can direct citizens to appropriate legal resources. Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly disclosed or used may seek remedies through:
Arkansas Attorney General's Office
323 Center Street, Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-2007