Arrest records are public in Cross County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that all government records, unless specifically exempted by law, shall be available for public inspection and copying. Law enforcement agencies, including the Cross County Sheriff's Office, maintain arrest records as part of their official duties and must provide access to these records upon proper request.
The Arkansas FOIA operates under the presumption that government records are open to public inspection. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, any citizen of the state may examine, copy, or receive copies of public records during regular business hours. Custodians of records may establish reasonable rules regarding the time, place, and manner of inspection to protect records from loss or damage and to prevent unreasonable interference with the operation of the public agency.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as ongoing investigation details or personal identifying information that could compromise privacy or safety. However, the basic arrest information, including the arrestee's name, charges, and booking details, remains accessible to the public.
Cross County arrest records can be accessed online through various authorized platforms. The Arkansas Judiciary maintains electronic court records that include information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Members of the public may utilize the Search ARCourts system to locate case information, including arrests that have led to court cases.
The Cross County Sheriff's Office provides online access to current inmate rosters, active warrants, and other arrest-related information through their official website. This service facilitates public access to arrest records without requiring physical visits to government offices.
Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate search database that includes individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated in state facilities. This resource allows for the verification of an individual's custody status and provides basic arrest and conviction information.
It should be noted that while online access enhances convenience, the comprehensiveness of electronically available records may vary. Some historical records or detailed arrest information may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
Members of the public seeking Cross County arrest records have multiple avenues available for conducting searches. The following methods are authorized for accessing these public records:
Visit the Cross County Sheriff's Office: The primary custodian of arrest records is the Sheriff's Office, located at:
Cross County Sheriff's Office
705 East Union Avenue
Wynne, AR 72396
(870) 238-5700
Cross County Sheriff's Office Website
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, such as full name and approximate date of arrest.
Cross County Circuit Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests can be obtained from:
Cross County Circuit Clerk
705 East Union Avenue, Room 10
Wynne, AR 72396
(870) 238-5735
Arkansas Circuit Clerks Directory
Online Resources: Electronic access is available through several platforms:
Third-Party Record Providers: Commercial services aggregate public records from multiple sources. While these services may charge fees, they often provide comprehensive reports that include arrest records from Cross County and other jurisdictions.
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Some agencies may require written requests for certain types of records or for extensive searches.
Cross County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Arkansas law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency and officer; legal authority for the arrest (warrant or probable cause); circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Arkansas statutes or local ordinances; charge classifications (felony or misdemeanor); charge codes as defined in the Arkansas Criminal Code
Booking Information: Booking number; date and time of booking; fingerprints; mugshot photographs taken from front and side views
Custody Status: Detention facility; bond amount and type (if applicable); release information (if applicable); court appearance dates
Case Disposition: Court of jurisdiction; case number; plea information; conviction or acquittal details; sentencing information (if applicable)
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1006, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information. However, the core arrest data remains accessible as public information under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
The Arkansas Criminal Information System, established under Arkansas Code § 12-12-201, maintains standardized formats for arrest records to ensure consistency across jurisdictions within the state, including Cross County.
The expungement process in Cross County allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq. Expungement effectively removes eligible arrest records from public access, though the records remain available to law enforcement agencies and courts for limited purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Cross County include:
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Cross County District Court or Circuit Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case. The petition must include:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. The prosecuting attorney's office receives notification and may contest the expungement. If the court grants the expungement, an order is issued directing all relevant agencies to seal the records.
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, individuals who have received an expungement may legally state that the arrest or conviction never occurred when applying for employment, licenses, or other opportunities. However, expunged records may still be considered for certain sensitive positions in law enforcement, education, or healthcare.