Arrest records are public documents in Pulaski County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the fundamental principle that government transparency and accountability are essential to a functioning democracy.
The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records related to criminal proceedings that follow arrests. These records are accessible to any member of the public without the need to demonstrate a specific interest in the information. However, certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other sensitive information as specified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105.
Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally public, an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pulaski County arrest records are available through various online platforms, facilitating remote access for interested parties. The Arkansas Judiciary maintains an online case information system that allows users to search for court cases, including those stemming from arrests in Pulaski County. This system, known as Search ARCourts, provides access to case summaries and, in some instances, digital copies of court documents.
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly. This resource allows the public to verify if an individual is currently in custody following an arrest. Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Corrections provides an online inmate search function for individuals who have been transferred to state custody after conviction.
It should be noted that pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1510, certain arrest information may be subject to limited dissemination based on the nature of the offense or the status of the case. Online access to such records may be restricted in accordance with these statutory provisions.
Members of the public seeking Pulaski County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them:
Online Database Searches: The Arkansas Judiciary's Search ARCourts system provides public access to court records, including those related to arrests. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate relevant records.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's Office to request physical copies of arrest records. The office is located at:
Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's Office
401 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 340-8500
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Law Enforcement Agencies: Direct requests may be submitted to the arresting agency, such as:
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office
2900 South Woodrow Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 340-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Arkansas State Police: For statewide criminal background checks, individuals may contact:
Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 618-8500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate custodian of records. Such requests should include sufficient information to identify the specific records being sought.
Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record searches and copies as authorized by Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3). Fees are established to recover the actual costs of reproduction and do not exceed such costs.
Pulaski County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are:
In accordance with Arkansas Code § 12-12-1003, certain identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records to protect individual privacy while maintaining the public nature of the record itself.
The Arkansas Crime Information Center maintains standards for the collection and dissemination of criminal history information, including arrest records, to ensure accuracy and completeness.
The expungement process in Pulaski County allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq. Individuals seeking expungement must meet statutory eligibility requirements, which vary based on the nature of the offense, the disposition of the case, and the time elapsed since the arrest or completion of sentence.
Pursuant to Arkansas law, the following general categories of arrests may be eligible for expungement:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Pulaski County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. The petition must include:
Upon filing, the court will schedule a hearing where the prosecutor and any victims have the opportunity to object to the expungement. If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings.
It should be noted that expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1416, though they are removed from public access.