>Van Buren County Arrest Records Online

Van Buren County, Arkansas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Van Buren County, Arkansas?

Arrest records in Van Buren County, Arkansas are classified as public records and are accessible to members of the general public. Pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., governmental bodies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying. The statute defines public records as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions.

The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of governmental functions
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b), which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure, such as information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Van Buren County?

Van Buren County arrest records are available through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital access varies. The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a centralized case information system that includes some arrest data from Van Buren County. However, pursuant to Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19, certain limitations apply to the online dissemination of court records.

Online access to Van Buren County arrest records is provided through:

The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office official website, which maintains a current list of active warrants
The Arkansas Court Connect system, which provides case information for matters that have proceeded to court
Third-party aggregator websites that compile public records from multiple jurisdictions

Users should note that online records may not reflect real-time updates, as there is typically a processing delay between an arrest and the digital publication of the corresponding record. Additionally, pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, records that have been ordered sealed or expunged will not appear in online databases.

How to Look Up Van Buren County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Van Buren County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office located at 1414 Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Submit a written request to the Van Buren County Circuit Clerk at 1414 Highway 65 South, Suite 3, Clinton, AR 72031. The office operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Remote Access Options:

Submit a formal written request via certified mail to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, including the full name and date of birth of the subject.
Utilize the Arkansas Court Connect portal for cases that have been filed with the court.
Check the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office website for active warrant information.

Required Information for Requests:

Full legal name of the individual (including aliases)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if available)

Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records, not to exceed the actual costs of reproduction. The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office currently charges $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of arrest records.

Contents of a Van Buren County Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Van Buren County law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as mandated by Arkansas state law. These records typically include:

Demographic Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth
Gender
Race
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location where the arrest occurred
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations alleged
Incident report number
Booking number and processing information

Case Processing Information:

Detention status (released or in custody)
Bail or bond amount and conditions
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Supplementary Documentation:

Mugshot photographs
Fingerprint records
Property inventory lists
Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)

It should be noted that pursuant to Arkansas Code § 12-12-1008, certain information contained within arrest records may be subject to redaction prior to public release, particularly information related to victims of certain offenses and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Van Buren County

The State of Arkansas provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Van Buren County follows the procedures established in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 through § 16-90-1419, known as the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013.

Eligibility Criteria:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed may be eligible for immediate expungement
Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after completion of sentence and a waiting period of 60 days
Certain non-violent felony convictions may be eligible after a 5-year waiting period following completion of sentence
First-time offenders under certain diversion programs may qualify upon successful completion

Excluded Offenses:

Sexual offenses requiring registration
Offenses committed against minors or the elderly
Serious violent felonies as defined in Arkansas Code § 16-90-1408
Commercial driver's license holders convicted of certain motor vehicle violations

Application Process:

Petition must be filed with the circuit court in Van Buren County where the arrest or conviction occurred
Filing fee of $50 applies unless waived by the court for indigent petitioners
Prosecutor and victims must be notified and given opportunity to respond
Court hearing may be required at the discretion of the presiding judge

Upon successful expungement, the record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-1417, individuals may legally deny the existence of expunged records except when applying for employment in criminal justice, child care, or elder care positions.