Search Clark County Criminal Records

Clark County criminal records are public documents maintained by the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. This page explains how to request arrest records, search court cases, find inmate data, and run background checks through official county and state channels. Clark County is located in southwest Arkansas and is served by the 9th Judicial Circuit. All records requests follow Arkansas FOIA procedures, and most criminal case files are available through the statewide CourtConnect system.

Arrest Records and Inmate Search

The Clark County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff handles patrol in unincorporated areas, runs the county jail, serves civil process, and coordinates with state law enforcement on criminal investigations. Arrest records from all incidents handled by county deputies are maintained at the Sheriff's Office in Arkadelphia and are available to the public through written FOIA requests.

A standard arrest record includes the subject's full name and date of birth, the charges filed against them, the arresting agency and officer name, the date and location of arrest, any booking photographs on file, and bond information set at the time of booking. If you are requesting records for a specific person, include their name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date in your request to help staff find the right file.

The Arkadelphia Police Department handles arrests within the city limits. Officers in Gurdon, Amity, and Caddo Valley handle their own municipal jurisdictions. Records from city agencies must be requested from those departments directly. For arrests by the Sheriff's Office, send your request to the Clark County Sheriff in Arkadelphia.

For current inmates at the Clark County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office during business hours to ask about the jail roster. State-sentenced inmates transferred to an Arkansas Department of Corrections facility can be found through the ADC inmate search at apps.ark.org/inmate_info. Enter a name or ADC number to see current location, sentence data, and expected release date.

Circuit Clerk and Court Records

The Clark County Circuit Clerk keeps all official court records for the county. The office is at the Clark County Courthouse in Arkadelphia. Criminal case filings, civil cases, domestic relations matters, and probate records all go through this office. The Clerk maintains dockets, issues summonses, and records every judgment, order, and disposition entered by the court.

Clark County court records are available online through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. This is the Arkansas Judiciary's free statewide search tool. Search by name, case number, or filing date to pull up criminal, civil, and domestic cases. Most cases filed in Clark County since the system launched are in the online database at no charge.

In-person access and mail requests are also available. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 per document. For large record requests or older paper files not yet digitized, call the Clerk's office before visiting to check on availability and estimated cost. Staff can tell you which records are restricted and which ones you can access right away.

The 9th Judicial Circuit covers Clark County. Criminal cases are heard in circuit court. Misdemeanor matters go through district court. The prosecuting attorney's office for the circuit handles felony prosecution. Both levels of court have records available through the Circuit Clerk's office.

FOIA and Public Access Laws

Arkansas public records law is found at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person can request records from a government agency in Arkansas. You do not need to give a reason, and you do not need to be an Arkansas resident. Agencies must confirm whether records exist within 24 hours of getting a written request. They must produce the records within three business days, or explain in writing which exemption applies if they withhold any part of the request.

Records that are open to the public include conviction records, felony arrest records, court case filings, and booking information. Records that are exempt include juvenile case files, active investigation materials that could harm an ongoing case, sealed court orders, medical records, and grand jury materials. If a record is partially exempt, the agency must release the non-exempt portions after redacting what is protected.

To submit a FOIA request to Clark County agencies, put your request in writing and describe the records as specifically as you can. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and any case or incident numbers if you have them. For court records, send the request to the Circuit Clerk at the Clark County Courthouse. For arrest or jail records, contact the Sheriff's Office.

Copying fees are the only cost an agency can charge under FOIA. Search time cannot be billed to the requestor. If a denial occurs, the agency must give you the specific exemption they rely on. You can appeal in writing to the agency head, and if that fails, seek relief in circuit court.

Arkansas State Background Checks

The Arkansas State Police runs official criminal background checks through the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Online requests cost $22. Mail requests cost $25. The required form is ASP-122, available at cbc.ark.org. Mail submissions go to Arkansas State Police, Identification Bureau, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209.

A state background check pulls from the ACIC criminal history repository. It includes arrest records, charges, and dispositions submitted by agencies across Arkansas. Clark County arrests and convictions that were reported to ACIC will appear in the results. Felonies, misdemeanors, and other qualifying offenses are included. Arrests without final dispositions may also show up in the report.

Fingerprint-based checks give more complete results than name-based searches. If you need a background check for a license, a firearms transaction, or another formal purpose, a fingerprint check is often required. ACIC coordinates fingerprint submissions for state checks. For federal FBI-level checks, use an approved fingerprint channeler or contact the FBI directly.

Sex Offender Registry

The Arkansas Crime Information Center maintains the state sex offender registry at acic.arkansas.gov. Clark County registrants appear in this database. You can search by name, street address, or proximity to any location in the county. Results include the offender's name, photo, address, and offense description. Searches are free and open to the public.

Arkansas law requires sex offenders to register with the county sheriff where they live, work, or go to school. Registration deadlines and frequency vary by risk tier. The Clark County Sheriff's Office manages local registration for Clark County registrants. If you believe a registrant's information in the database is wrong, contact the Sheriff or report it directly to ACIC.

Expungement of Criminal Records

Expungement in Arkansas is governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-901. An expungement order seals a criminal record from public view. After the order takes effect, the person can legally deny the arrest or conviction in most situations. The underlying record is not destroyed but is removed from public access, including standard background check results and CourtConnect searches.

Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case. First-time offenders who completed probation or a suspended sentence for nonviolent crimes may qualify. Some drug offenses are eligible. Juvenile records fall under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309, which provides separate and often more favorable sealing rules for minors. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and certain other serious crimes are generally not eligible for expungement.

To pursue expungement in Clark County, file a petition with the Circuit Clerk in Arkadelphia. A judge will review the petition. If approved, the court issues a sealing order. All agencies holding the record must comply. An attorney familiar with Arkansas expungement law can help you assess your eligibility and file the correct petition documents.

Victim Notification and VINE

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) lets crime victims and others track the custody status of inmates held in Clark County or any Arkansas correctional facility. Call 1-800-510-0415 to register by phone. The line runs 24 hours a day. You can also register online through the VINE website. Provide a phone number or email to get automatic alerts when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes.

VINE keeps your contact information confidential. The service is free. Attorneys, family members, and advocates also use it regularly. For custody questions that VINE cannot answer, contact the Clark County Sheriff's Office directly during business hours.

Cities in Clark County

The main communities in Clark County are Arkadelphia (the county seat), Gurdon, Amity, and Caddo Valley. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For criminal records tied to any address in Clark County, use the county-level resources on this page. The Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk in Arkadelphia handle records for all areas within county boundaries.

Nearby Counties

Clark County borders several counties in southwest Arkansas. Each maintains its own Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk. All are searchable through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov.

• Dallas County (east)
• Garland County (north)
• Hot Spring County (northeast)
• Montgomery County (northwest)
• Nevada County (south)
• Ouachita County (southeast)
• Pike County (southwest)