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:
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.
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.
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:
Arrest Details:
Offense Information:
Case Processing Data:
Identification Records:
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.
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:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
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.