>Columbia County Arrest Records Online

Columbia County, Arkansas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Columbia County, Arkansas?

Arrest records are public documents in Columbia County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that all government records, including arrest records, are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA provides that citizens have the right to access public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities operating within Columbia County.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Enables citizens to monitor the activities of government officials
Assists in maintaining public safety through community awareness
Provides statistical data for policy development and resource allocation
Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld under exemptions provided in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Columbia County?

Columbia County arrest records are accessible online through several official digital platforms. The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a comprehensive electronic database that includes arrest information from Columbia County pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, which governs public access to court records.

Online accessibility of these records is facilitated through the following mechanisms:

The Search ARCourts system, which provides public access to court case information including arrests
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office official website, which maintains current inmate rosters and booking information
Third-party aggregators that compile public record information from official sources

Users should note that online records are subject to the same statutory exemptions and redactions as physical records under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105. Additionally, pursuant to Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, certain sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information regarding minors is typically redacted from online court records.

How to Look Up Columbia County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Columbia County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act guarantees public access to these records, subject to specific exemptions outlined in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105.

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
400 Magnolia Street, Suite 7
Magnolia, AR 71753
(870) 234-5331
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Website

Individuals may access arrest records through the following methods:

In-person requests: Citizens may visit the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and a nominal fee may apply for document reproduction.
Online database searches: The Arkansas Judiciary's case information portal provides electronic access to court records, including information related to arrests in Columbia County.
Written requests: Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought.
District Court inquiries: The Columbia County District Court maintains records of arrests within its jurisdiction and can provide information upon request.

Requestors should be prepared to provide the following information when seeking arrest records:

Full name of the individual
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate timeframe of the arrest
Case number (if known)

Contents of a Columbia County Arrest Record

Columbia County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations and the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure. These official documents typically include comprehensive details about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies operating within Columbia County.

Standard components of a Columbia County arrest record include:

Biographical information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address of the arrested individual
Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest; and statutory authority for the arrest
Criminal charges: Specific violations of Arkansas Criminal Code for which the individual was arrested, including citation to relevant statutes and classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Booking information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Custody status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or continued detention
Case disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including court dates, hearing outcomes, and final resolution

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1001 et seq., certain identifying information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Columbia County

The expungement of arrest records in Columbia County is governed by the Arkansas Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013, codified at Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq. This statute provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Columbia County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases dismissed by prosecutors or courts
Acquittals following trial
Successful completion of diversion programs
Certain non-violent convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods

The expungement process requires the following steps:

Filing a Uniform Petition for Sealing of Record with the Columbia County Circuit Court
Payment of filing fees (currently $50, subject to change)
Service of the petition on the prosecuting attorney
Attendance at a hearing if required by the court
Issuance of an Order of Expungement if the petition is granted

Columbia County Circuit Court
1 Court Square
Magnolia, AR 71753
(870) 235-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon successful expungement, Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417 provides that the individual may lawfully deny the existence of the sealed record except in certain circumstances specified by statute. Law enforcement agencies and courts are required to remove expunged records from public access, though these records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for limited purposes.