Arrest records in Montgomery County, Arkansas are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities operating within Montgomery County. The Arkansas FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:
Individuals seeking arrest records may encounter certain restrictions related to juvenile records, which are generally confidential under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309, or records that have been expunged pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-901 et seq.
Montgomery County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts provides digital access to court records, including those related to arrests, through their online portal. Additionally, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office maintains limited online resources for public record access.
Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, which addresses electronic availability of public records. The statute requires agencies to provide reasonable access to records in the medium requested if the record is readily available in that medium. Digital access to arrest records is subject to the following provisions:
Users of online systems should note that the most comprehensive and current arrest record information may still require in-person requests at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office or Circuit Clerk's Office, as not all records are digitized or updated in real-time on public-facing websites.
Montgomery County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels established by county and state authorities. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, public agencies must provide reasonable access to non-exempt public records during regular business hours. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Montgomery County:
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
105 Highway 270 East
Mount Ida, AR 71957
Phone: (870) 867-3151
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's Office
105 Highway 270 East
Mount Ida, AR 71957
Phone: (870) 867-3521
For electronic access, individuals may utilize the Arkansas Judiciary's case search system, which provides information on court cases including those stemming from arrests in Montgomery County.
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to either the Sheriff's Office or Circuit Clerk's Office at the addresses provided above. Such requests should include:
Fees for record searches are established pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3) and may vary based on the scope of the search and format of records requested.
Montgomery County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Arkansas Criminal Justice Information System regulations and Arkansas Code § 12-12-1001 et seq. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest. A comprehensive arrest record typically contains:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1003, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, medical information, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.
The expungement process in Montgomery County operates under the provisions of Arkansas Code § 16-90-901 through § 16-90-906, which establishes procedures for the sealing of criminal records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively removes arrest records from public access, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for official purposes.
Eligibility for expungement in Montgomery County is determined by several factors:
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to file with the court of original jurisdiction. The petition must be served on the prosecuting attorney and any law enforcement agencies involved in the case. A hearing may be scheduled where the court will determine if the petitioner meets statutory requirements for expungement.
Upon granting an expungement order, the court directs all relevant agencies to seal their records pertaining to the arrest and/or conviction. These agencies include the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Crime Information Center, and any other repositories of criminal history information.