Arrest records in Cleburne County, 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 arrest records, shall be available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless proven otherwise.
Arrest records typically contain information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within Cleburne County. These records document the name of the arrestee, the nature of charges filed, date of arrest, and other pertinent information related to the arrest. Such records are maintained by various county agencies, including the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office and the Cleburne County District Court.
Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by Arkansas Code § 25-19-105. Such protected information may include:
• Social security numbers • Medical information • Information pertaining to ongoing investigations • Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) • Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Arrest records for Cleburne County can be accessed through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Arkansas Judiciary has implemented digital systems that allow for remote access to certain court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
The Arkansas Judiciary's online case information system provides public access to court records, including those stemming from arrests in Cleburne County. This system, known as Search ARCourts, allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. However, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 19 of the Arkansas Supreme Court, certain information may be restricted from online access even when the physical records are available for public inspection at the courthouse.
Additionally, the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly. This resource provides information about individuals currently detained in the county jail, including their charges and booking dates. It should be noted that online records may not always be comprehensive or current, as there may be delays in updating digital databases.
Users of online record systems should be aware that:
• Not all arrest records may be available online • Records may be subject to removal or sealing pursuant to court orders • Technical limitations may affect the availability or accuracy of online records • Official verification may require in-person inspection of physical records
Individuals seeking arrest records in Cleburne County have multiple avenues available for conducting their search. The method chosen may depend on the specific information needed, the urgency of the request, and the preferred format of the records.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit the following agencies:
Cleburne County Sheriff's Office
301 West Main Street
Heber Springs, AR 72543
(501) 362-8143
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cleburne County District Court
301 West Main Street, Suite 211
Heber Springs, AR 72543
(501) 362-2611
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
For online searches, several options are available:
• The Arkansas Judiciary's case information portal provides access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
• The Search ARCourts system allows users to search for case information and, in some instances, view actual court filings.
• The Arkansas Department of Corrections online services provides information about individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction.
When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide:
• The full name of the person whose records are being sought • Date of birth or approximate age (if known) • Approximate date of the arrest (if known) • Case number (if available) • Government-issued identification of the requestor (for in-person requests)
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b)(8), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records. These fees are established to recover the actual costs of reproduction and do not include charges for the time spent by personnel in searching for or retrieving the records.
Arrest records maintained by Cleburne County law enforcement agencies and courts typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the basis for subsequent criminal proceedings.
Standard information included in Cleburne County arrest records includes:
• Full legal name of the arrestee • Aliases or known alternative names • Date of birth and demographic information • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks) • Residential address at time of arrest • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Statutory charges filed, with reference to applicable Arkansas Code sections • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) • Agency responsible for the arrest • Booking photograph ("mugshot") • Fingerprint information • Bail or bond amount, if applicable • Court docket number, once assigned • Scheduled court appearances
The Cleburne County District Court maintains records of all criminal proceedings within its jurisdiction, including those stemming from arrests. These court records may contain additional information regarding the disposition of charges, court-ordered conditions, and sentencing information if a conviction resulted from the arrest.
It should be noted that pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4.7, certain arrests may be made without a warrant under specific circumstances. In such cases, the arresting officer must file an affidavit of probable cause, which becomes part of the arrest record and provides detailed information about the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Under Arkansas law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public view. Expungement is a legal process that restricts access to criminal records, effectively removing them from public inspection. This process is governed primarily by Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, known as the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013.
Eligibility for expungement in Cleburne County depends on several factors, including:
• The nature and severity of the offense • The disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction) • The completion of any sentence or probationary period • The passage of a specified waiting period • The absence of subsequent criminal charges
Common scenarios where expungement may be available include:
• Arrests that did not result in charges being filed • Cases where charges were dismissed • Acquittals following trial • Certain misdemeanor convictions after completion of sentence and waiting period • Some non-violent felony convictions, subject to stricter requirements
The expungement process in Cleburne County typically involves:
Upon successful expungement, affected records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for certain purposes as specified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1416. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state that the sealed arrest or conviction did not occur when applying for employment, housing, or other opportunities.