Arrest records are public documents in St. Francis County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA operates under the presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless proven otherwise.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies. These records document the formal taking into custody of individuals suspected of criminal activity within the county jurisdiction. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of governmental transparency and public safety awareness.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:
The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Arkansas Judiciary standards and state regulations governing public records.
Arrest records for St. Francis County are available through various online platforms, both governmental and third-party. The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster and warrant database that is accessible to the public via their official website. These digital resources provide a convenient method for citizens to access arrest information without the necessity of visiting county offices in person.
The Arkansas Judiciary's online case search system also provides access to court records related to arrests in St. Francis County. This system, known as Search ARCourts, allows users to search for case information by name, case number, or other identifiers. While not all documents may be available online, the system provides basic case information that can be used to locate more detailed records.
It should be noted that pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted before online publication, including:
Online access to these records is provided as a public service, though the completeness of information may vary based on the specific platform and the date of the records in question.
To obtain St. Francis County arrest records in 2025, members of the public may utilize several established methods. Each approach offers different advantages in terms of comprehensiveness, convenience, and timeliness of information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
St. Francis County Sheriff's Office
313 South Izard Street
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: 870-633-2611
Official Website
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk's Office
313 South Izard Street, Room 106
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: 870-261-1725
Circuit Clerks Directory
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
For electronic access, the following resources are available:
When requesting records in person, requestors should be prepared to provide:
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b)(6), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records, not to exceed actual costs.
St. Francis County arrest records typically contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with Arkansas state law and local record-keeping protocols established by the St. Francis County District Court.
A comprehensive arrest record in St. Francis County generally includes:
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy restrictions. For example, records related to undercover narcotics investigations may have certain details redacted to protect ongoing law enforcement operations.
These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form part of the criminal justice record system maintained by St. Francis County government offices.
In St. Francis County, Arkansas, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public view under provisions established by Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access, though the information remains available to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes.
Eligibility for expungement in St. Francis County typically applies to:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners must:
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state that the expunged arrest or conviction never occurred when applying for employment, housing, or other opportunities.
The St. Francis County Circuit Court maintains jurisdiction over expungement proceedings for cases that originated within the county. Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements and timelines that vary based on the nature of the offense.