Van Buren Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Van Buren, Arkansas?
Arrest records in Van Buren, Arkansas are classified as public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA ensures transparency in governmental operations, including those of law enforcement agencies operating within Van Buren and Crawford County jurisdictions.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes:
- Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
- Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
- Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
- Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws or if their release could compromise ongoing investigations. Juvenile arrest records typically receive additional confidentiality protections under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309.
How to Look Up Van Buren Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Van Buren. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Van Buren Police Department
1001 Broadway Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Van Buren Police Department Official Website
The Van Buren Police Department maintains records of arrests conducted within city limits. Requestors may submit FOIA requests in person during regular business hours. A standard identification verification process applies, and nominal fees may be assessed for document reproduction pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3).
Crawford County Sheriff's Office
4235 Alma Highway
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-2261
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Crawford County Sheriff's Office Official Website
The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive records of arrests conducted throughout Crawford County, including those in Van Buren. Records requests require completion of a standardized form available at the office or downloadable from their website.
Crawford County Circuit Clerk
Crawford County Courthouse
300 Main Street, Room 4
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-5081
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Circuit Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. Public terminals are available for on-site searches of the case management system.
Arkansas State Police
Criminal Background Check Section
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Arkansas State Police Official Website
The Arkansas State Police provides statewide criminal history information, including arrest records, through their Criminal Background Check Section. Requests require submission of form ASP-122, available on their website, along with the statutory fee of $25 per search.
Contents of a Van Buren Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Van Buren law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations. These records typically include:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as categorized by arresting officer)
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Geographic location where arrest occurred
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority under which arrest was executed
- Whether arrest was pursuant to warrant or probable cause
- Booking number and processing information
Offense Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Arkansas Criminal Code citations
- Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
- Brief narrative of alleged criminal activity
- Presence of weapons or contraband
Case Processing Data:
- Bail or bond amount established
- Detention status
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition (if available)
- Assigned prosecutor and defense counsel
Identification Records:
- Fingerprint classifications
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Identification numbers (local, state, and federal)
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1003, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Van Buren
Arkansas law provides mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Van Buren law enforcement agencies. The legal framework for expungement is established under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, which delineates eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Expungement eligibility generally encompasses the following circumstances:
- Arrests not resulting in formal charges
- Cases dismissed by prosecutorial discretion
- Acquittals following trial proceedings
- Successful completion of diversion programs
- Certain non-violent misdemeanor and felony convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods
- First-time offenders under specialized statutory provisions
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Uniform Petition for Sealing of Record with the Crawford County Circuit Court
- Pay the statutory filing fee of $50 (subject to potential waiver for indigent petitioners)
- Provide notice to the prosecuting attorney's office
- Attend a scheduled hearing if the petition is contested
Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
220 South 4th Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-9242
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an Order for Sealing, which directs all relevant agencies to seal the specified records. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, sealed records are not accessible through standard public records requests and the individual may legally deny the existence of the sealed arrest in most circumstances, with limited exceptions for certain employment contexts and subsequent criminal proceedings.
Expungement does not result in physical destruction of records; rather, they are segregated from public access and maintained under restricted protocols. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain limited access capabilities for specific authorized purposes.
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