El Dorado Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in El Dorado, Arkansas?
Arrest records in El Dorado, Arkansas are public documents accessible to citizens 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, including arrest records, must be made available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA mandates that custodians of public records shall provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in El Dorado may access these documents through designated governmental agencies. The law stipulates that public agencies must respond to FOIA requests within three business days. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, which protects personal privacy in specific circumstances such as ongoing investigations or juvenile records.
How to Look Up El Dorado Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in El Dorado as of 2025. The Union County Sheriff's Office and El Dorado Police Department maintain these records in accordance with Arkansas Code § 12-12-1501, which governs the collection and maintenance of criminal justice information.
Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:
In-person requests at the El Dorado Police Department located at 204 E Oak Street, El Dorado, AR 71730. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a standard FOIA form and present valid identification.
Written requests submitted to the Union County Circuit Clerk's Office at 101 North Washington, Suite 201, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730-5661. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-20-102, circuit clerks maintain court records including arrest documentation.
Online access through the Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect system, which provides public case information for courts using the Contexte Case Management System. This resource is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally restrict access.
Requests to the Union County Sheriff's Office at 250 American Road, El Dorado, AR 71730. The records division operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d)(3), which permits agencies to charge reasonable costs for document reproduction. Current fee schedules include $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of arrest records.
Contents of an El Dorado Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by El Dorado law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Arkansas Code § 12-12-1003. These official documents serve as the legal record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during an arrest procedure.
Standard information contained in El Dorado arrest records includes:
Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest details including date, time, location, and specific circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal charges filed, including Arkansas Criminal Code citations and charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Arresting agency information, including officer identification numbers and badge numbers
Booking information, including fingerprint records and mugshot photographs
Detention status, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Case disposition information, when available, indicating whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1008, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in El Dorado
The State of Arkansas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419. Expungement procedures in El Dorado follow these statutory guidelines, allowing eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of their arrest records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in El Dorado include:
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within one year, pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1409
Cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal, as provided in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1410
Certain misdemeanor convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period of five years, in accordance with Arkansas Code § 16-90-1405
First-time non-violent felony offenses after completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period determined by offense classification, as specified in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1406
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Union County Circuit Court. Petitioners must submit the following:
- Uniform petition for expungement as prescribed by the Arkansas Supreme Court
- Certified copy of the disposition of the case
- Receipt showing payment of all court costs and fines
- Filing fee of $50, unless waived by the court due to indigence
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the arrest record. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for limited purposes but are removed from public access.
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