Benton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Benton, Arkansas?
Arrest records are public documents in Benton, Arkansas, as established by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation ensures that government records, including those related to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Benton city limits and Saline County jurisdiction, remain accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the fundamental principle that citizens have the right to know about the operations and activities of their government, including law enforcement actions.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system
- Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
- Providing accountability for public officials and agencies
- Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
- Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, law enforcement agencies in Benton must make arrest records available for public inspection during regular business hours. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as permitted under statutory exemptions.
How to Look Up Benton Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Benton arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Benton Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits, while the Saline County Sheriff's Office maintains records for the broader county jurisdiction. Requestors may access these records through the following methods:
In-person requests at the Benton Police Department Records Division, located at 114 S. East Street, Benton, AR 72015. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests submitted to the Benton Police Department Records Custodian, with appropriate identification and specific information about the requested records.
Requests to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, located at 735 S. Neeley Street, Benton, AR 72015. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Access to the Saline County Circuit Clerk's Office at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton, AR 72015, where court records related to arrests may be available. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b)(8), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate efficient record retrieval.
Contents of a Benton Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Benton law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in Benton arrest records are as follows:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged criminal offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and booking identification information
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Initial appearance information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released or remanded to custody
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1006, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, in accordance with Arkansas Code § 9-27-309, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be publicly accessible through standard channels.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Benton
The State of Arkansas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed or removed from public access, effectively restoring the individual to the status they occupied prior to the arrest. The Arkansas Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013, codified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq., establishes the framework for record expungement in Benton and throughout the state.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Benton include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Acquittals following trial proceedings
- Successful completion of diversion programs or probation for qualifying offenses
- Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after specified waiting periods
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Uniform Petition for Sealing of Record with the Saline County Circuit Court
- Pay the required filing fee (currently $50, subject to change)
- Provide notice to the prosecuting attorney's office
- Attend a hearing if one is scheduled by the court
- Obtain a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records
Upon successful expungement, Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417 prohibits agencies from disclosing the existence of sealed records except under limited circumstances. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally deny the existence of the arrest in most contexts, including employment applications.
The Saline County Circuit Clerk's Office processes expungement petitions at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton, AR 72015. Telephone: (501) 303-1584.
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