Arrest records are public in Searcy County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that all government records, unless specifically exempted by law, shall be accessible to the public. The statute encompasses records maintained by governmental bodies at all levels, including county and municipal agencies. The Arkansas FOIA serves to promote transparency and accountability in governmental operations by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities.
The Searcy County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate county agencies, which are obligated to respond within three business days as stipulated in Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(e).
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions. However, the general principle of public accessibility remains paramount in the administration of these records.
Arrest records for Searcy County can be accessed online through various governmental and authorized non-governmental platforms. The Arkansas Judiciary maintains a comprehensive database that includes court records related to arrests in Searcy County. Additionally, the Searcy County Sheriff's Office provides a digital portal where recent arrest information is regularly updated.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections offers an online inmate search function that allows members of the public to verify if an individual is currently in custody following an arrest. This resource includes information on inmates housed in state correctional facilities, which may include individuals arrested in Searcy County who have been transferred to state custody.
Online access to these records is governed by the same legal framework that applies to physical records, with certain limitations implemented to protect sensitive information as prescribed by Arkansas Code § 16-90-906. Users of online systems should be aware that while basic arrest information is typically available, certain details may be omitted from digital records in compliance with privacy statutes.
To obtain Searcy County arrest records, members of the public may utilize several official channels:
Visit the Searcy County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request: Searcy County Sheriff's Office P.O. Box 1373 Marshall, AR 72650 Phone: (870) 448-2340 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Searcy County District Court records through the Arkansas Judiciary's online portal, which contains information on criminal cases including arrest details.
Submit a request to the Arkansas State Police for arrest records related to cases handled by state law enforcement: Arkansas State Police Headquarters 1 State Police Plaza Drive Little Rock, AR 72209 Phone: (501) 618-8000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the Arkansas Crime Information Center for comprehensive background checks that include arrest information, subject to statutory fees and identification requirements pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1513.
When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Requestors may be required to present identification and pay applicable fees as established by Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3).
Searcy County arrest records typically contain the following standardized information as mandated by Arkansas Code § 12-12-1003:
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1008, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to minors. The completeness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the specific policies of the maintaining agency.
The expungement of arrest records in Searcy County is governed by the Arkansas Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013, codified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq. This statute provides a legal mechanism through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing of their arrest records, effectively removing them from public access.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Searcy County include:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the arrest record, including the Searcy County Sheriff's Office, the Arkansas Crime Information Center, and the FBI. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, expunged records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for limited purposes but are removed from public access.
Searcy County Circuit Court P.O. Box 1356 Marshall, AR 72650 Phone: (870) 448-3881 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM