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Paragould Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Paragould, Arkansas?

Arrest records are public documents in Paragould, Arkansas, 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 accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA promotes governmental transparency by ensuring citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by state and local agencies, including law enforcement entities operating within Paragould city limits.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally available, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Arkansas Code § 25-19-105. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309 and may not be publicly accessible through standard channels.

How to Look Up Paragould Arrest Records in 2025

The retrieval of arrest records in Paragould involves several established procedures that members of the public may utilize. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, governmental agencies must provide reasonable access to public records during regular business hours. Individuals seeking arrest information may employ the following methods:

  • In-Person Requests at Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may submit formal requests at the Paragould Police Department or Greene County Sheriff's Office. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction.

Paragould Police Department
101 North 3½ Street
Paragould, AR 72450
(870) 236-7621
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Greene County Sheriff's Office
1809 North Rockingchair Road
Paragould, AR 72450
(870) 236-7612
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Greene County Circuit Clerk's Office: As the official record keeper for the circuit court, this office maintains documentation related to criminal proceedings following arrests. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through designated electronic systems where available.

Greene County Circuit Clerk
Greene County Courthouse
320 West Court Street
Paragould, AR 72450
(870) 239-6304
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Online Resources: The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts maintains electronic databases that may contain arrest record information. Additionally, the Greene County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information and recent arrest data.

Contents of a Paragould Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Paragould law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations. These documents serve as official accounts of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Agency case number and booking identification
  • Fingerprint classification data collected during processing
  • Photographic identification (mugshot) taken during booking procedures
  • Disposition information indicating whether the individual was released on bond, detained pending arraignment, or transferred to another facility
  • Initial court appearance information, including scheduled dates and assigned judicial officer

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1006, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and medical data.

Legal Uses of Paragould Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Paragould authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes in accordance with state and federal regulations. The Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act (Arkansas Code § 4-110-101 et seq.) governs certain aspects of information usage. Authorized uses include:

  • Background Verification: Employers conducting pre-employment screening for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations may review arrest records in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Arkansas employment laws.

  • Housing Applications: Property managers and landlords may evaluate arrest records when assessing rental applications, subject to limitations imposed by fair housing regulations and Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417 regarding expunged records.

  • Legal Proceedings: Attorneys, court personnel, and parties to litigation may access arrest records for evidentiary purposes in civil and criminal proceedings pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure and Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure.

  • Statistical Analysis: Government agencies and research institutions may compile anonymized arrest data for crime trend analysis, policy development, and resource allocation in accordance with Arkansas Code § 12-12-211.

  • Personal Information Verification: Individuals may request their own arrest records to verify accuracy, prepare for legal proceedings, or support expungement petitions as permitted under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Paragould

The State of Arkansas provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419. Expungement procedures in Paragould follow these state guidelines, allowing eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of arrest records from public view.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Greene County include:

  • Arrests that did not result in formal charges within one year of arrest date
  • Cases dismissed by prosecutorial discretion or judicial determination
  • Acquittals following trial proceedings
  • Successful completion of probation, deferred adjudication, or first-offender programs
  • Specific misdemeanor and felony convictions after applicable waiting periods have elapsed

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

  1. File a Uniform Petition for Sealing of Record with the Greene County Circuit Court
  2. Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $50, with potential fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
  3. Serve copies of the petition to the prosecuting attorney and arresting agency
  4. Attend scheduled court hearings as required
  5. Obtain a signed Order of Expungement if the petition is granted

Upon successful expungement, Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417 stipulates that the individual may lawfully state that the sealed arrest did not occur, and the records become unavailable through standard public records searches. However, certain governmental agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as outlined in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1416.

Paying Court Fines Related to Paragould Arrests

Individuals with financial obligations resulting from Paragould arrests may satisfy these obligations through multiple payment channels established by the Arkansas Judiciary. Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 8 of the Arkansas Supreme Court, court systems must provide reasonable accommodation for fine payment.

Available payment methods include:

  • In-Person Payments: Cash, certified checks, money orders, and credit card payments are accepted at the Greene County District Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours.

Greene County District Court
320 West Court Street, Room 107
Paragould, AR 72450
(870) 239-6330
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Online Payments: The Arkansas Court Payment System provides 24-hour access for electronic payment of fines, court costs, and restitution using major credit cards. A processing fee of approximately 5% applies to online transactions.

  • Payment by Mail: Money orders or certified checks may be mailed to the court clerk's office with appropriate case identification information.

  • Payment Plans: Individuals experiencing financial hardship may petition the court for installment payment arrangements in accordance with Arkansas Code § 16-13-704, which requires courts to establish reasonable payment schedules based on ability to pay.

Failure to satisfy court-ordered financial obligations may result in additional penalties, including license suspension, contempt proceedings, or arrest warrants as authorized under Arkansas Code § 16-13-708.

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