>Poinsett County Arrest Records Online

Poinsett County, Arkansas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Poinsett County, Arkansas?

Arrest records are public documents in Poinsett County, 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 those pertaining to arrests within the county, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the principle that citizens have a right to know about the operations of their government, including law enforcement activities.

The Poinsett County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document all arrests made within their jurisdiction. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain records may be sealed or redacted in accordance with Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401, which provides for the protection of sensitive information, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations.

Poinsett County Sheriff's Office
1500 Justice Drive
Harrisburg, AR 72432
(870) 578-5411
Poinsett County Sheriff AR

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Poinsett County?

Poinsett County arrest records are accessible online through several official platforms. The Poinsett County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital inmate roster that is updated regularly with current detention information. This resource allows members of the public to view individuals currently held in the Poinsett County Detention Center, along with basic booking information.

Additionally, the Arkansas Judiciary provides a comprehensive online case information system through Search ARCourts, where court cases related to arrests can be accessed. This system includes information on criminal proceedings that follow arrests made in Poinsett County.

It should be noted that while these online resources provide significant access to arrest information, they may not contain complete historical records. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, certain records may be excluded from online databases due to privacy concerns or statutory exemptions.

How to Look Up Poinsett County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Poinsett County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Visit the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office in person at 1500 Justice Drive, Harrisburg, AR 72432, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to request physical copies of arrest records.
Access the Poinsett County Sheriff's online inmate roster for current detention information.
Submit a formal written request to the Poinsett County Circuit Clerk's Office at 401 Market Street, Harrisburg, AR 72432, for court records related to arrests.
Utilize the Arkansas Judiciary's online case information system to search for court cases associated with arrests.
Contact the Poinsett County Sheriff's Records Division by phone at (870) 578-5411 to inquire about the availability of specific arrest records.

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records. The standard fee for copies in Poinsett County is $0.25 per page for standard documents, with additional fees for certified copies or extensive searches.

Contents of a Poinsett County Arrest Record

Poinsett County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These official documents include the following standard elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including citation of relevant Arkansas statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly known as a mugshot)
Fingerprint information
Booking number and case identification
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction

The Poinsett County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory responsibility to document all criminal proceedings within the county. While most information in arrest records is public, certain details may be redacted in accordance with Arkansas Code § 16-90-1104, particularly in cases involving protected categories of information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Poinsett County

Arkansas law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Poinsett County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed or removed from public access, effectively allowing individuals to lawfully state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense.

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, eligibility for expungement in Poinsett County typically depends on several factors:

The nature and severity of the offense
The time elapsed since arrest or completion of sentence
The individual's criminal history before and after the arrest
Whether the case resulted in a conviction, dismissal, or acquittal

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Poinsett County Circuit Court. Individuals seeking expungement must submit the appropriate forms to:

Poinsett County Circuit Court
401 Market Street
Harrisburg, AR 72432
(870) 578-4410
Circuit Court Information

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner may present their case for expungement. If granted, the court will issue an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to seal the records pertaining to the specified arrest. Once expunged, these records are no longer accessible to the general public, though they may remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access in Poinsett County

While arrest records in Poinsett County are generally public, Arkansas law establishes several important restrictions on their accessibility. These limitations are designed to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1104, the following categories of arrest records are subject to restricted access:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age), which are governed by separate confidentiality provisions under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309
Records related to ongoing investigations where disclosure could compromise law enforcement activities
Records sealed by court order, including those expunged under Arkansas statutes
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b)(12)
Records containing information about confidential informants or undercover law enforcement personnel

The Poinsett County Sheriff's Office and the County Clerk's Office are responsible for ensuring compliance with these restrictions when responding to public records requests. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest or obtain a court order authorizing disclosure.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks in Poinsett County

Arrest records from Poinsett County may be utilized for background check purposes, subject to specific regulations under both Arkansas and federal law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Arkansas Code § 11-3-203 govern the use of criminal history information in employment contexts.

Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks in Poinsett County should be aware of the following legal parameters:

Arrest records that did not result in conviction generally cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions, pursuant to EEOC guidelines
Arkansas law prohibits employers from asking about expunged or sealed arrest records
Background check providers must obtain consent before accessing arrest records for employment purposes
Individuals have the right to dispute inaccurate information contained in background checks

Entities seeking to conduct background checks using Poinsett County arrest records may access this information through:

Poinsett County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
1500 Justice Drive
Harrisburg, AR 72432
(870) 578-5411
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly accessed or utilized may file a complaint with the Arkansas Attorney General's Office or seek remedies through appropriate legal channels.