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