Access Cleburne County Criminal Records

Cleburne County criminal records are public documents maintained by the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk in Heber Springs, Arkansas. This page covers how to request arrest records, search court cases, find inmate data, and access background check resources through official county and state channels. Cleburne County is located in north-central Arkansas and is served by the 16th Judicial Circuit. All records access follows Arkansas FOIA law, and most court filings are available through the CourtConnect online system.

Arrest Records and Inmate Search

The Cleburne County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff patrols unincorporated parts of the county, operates the county jail, serves warrants and civil process, and coordinates with state agencies on criminal matters. Arrest records for all incidents handled by county deputies are maintained at the Sheriff's Office in Heber Springs. These records are available to the public through FOIA requests.

A standard Cleburne County arrest record includes the subject's full legal name and date of birth, the charges filed, the arresting officer and agency, the arrest date and location, booking photographs when available, and bond information set at booking. When requesting records, be specific. Include the subject's name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date if known. This helps staff pull the right file and respond faster.

The Heber Springs Police Department handles arrests within the city limits of Heber Springs. Municipal departments in Quitman and Greers Ferry also handle their own jurisdiction. Records from these city agencies are held by those departments. For county-level arrests by Sheriff's deputies, contact the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office directly in Heber Springs.

For current inmates at the Cleburne County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office during business hours to check on the current jail roster. If the person you are looking for has been transferred to an Arkansas Department of Corrections facility, use the ADC inmate search at apps.ark.org/inmate_info. You can search by name or ADC number and see current location, sentence details, and expected release date.

Circuit Clerk and Court Records

The Cleburne County Circuit Clerk maintains all official court records for the county. The Clerk's office is located at the Cleburne County Courthouse in Heber Springs. Criminal case filings, civil cases, domestic relations matters, probate records, and certified copies are all handled through this office. The Clerk records all judgments, orders, and dispositions, and issues court summonses.

Most Cleburne County court records are searchable online at no charge through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. This is the Arkansas Judiciary's official statewide case search tool. You can search by person name, case number, or filing date to find criminal, civil, and domestic cases. Results include docket entries, case type, parties, and final disposition where entered. It is the best first step for any court record search in Cleburne County.

For copies or certified documents, visit the Circuit Clerk's office in person or mail a written request. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies for official use are $5 per document. For older paper records that predate the online system, call ahead to ask about availability and retrieval time. The Clerk can confirm whether a specific record is public or has been sealed by court order.

Cleburne County is in the 16th Judicial Circuit. Felony criminal cases are heard in circuit court. Misdemeanor cases and lower-level offenses go through district court. Both levels have records available through the Circuit Clerk's office and through CourtConnect for more recent filings.

FOIA and Public Access Laws

Arkansas public records law is at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person can request records from a government agency in Arkansas. Residency and reason are not required. Once you submit a written request, the agency has 24 hours to confirm whether the records exist. They must produce the records within three business days, or provide a written explanation citing the specific exemption they are relying on to withhold them.

Most criminal records in Cleburne County are public. This includes conviction records, felony arrest records, court filings, booking information, and warrant records after service. Records that are exempt include juvenile case files, materials from active investigations that could interfere with an ongoing case, sealed court orders, medical records, grand jury proceedings, and adoption records. Expunged records lose their public status after a court grants the sealing order.

To submit a FOIA request to the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office, put it in writing. Describe the records as precisely as you can. Include the subject's name, date of birth, and any incident or case number you have. For court records, send the written request to the Circuit Clerk at the Cleburne County Courthouse in Heber Springs. Agencies can only charge for copying costs, not for the time spent searching.

If an agency denies your request, they must tell you which specific exemption applies. You can appeal in writing to the agency head. If that does not resolve the issue, you can seek relief in circuit court. Many denials can be resolved by narrowing or clarifying the request before filing a formal appeal.

Arkansas State Background Checks

Official Arkansas background checks go through the Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check unit. The system is managed through the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Online requests cost $22. Mail requests cost $25. Form ASP-122 is required and available at cbc.ark.org. Mail submissions go to Arkansas State Police, Identification Bureau, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209.

A background check through ACIC pulls from the statewide criminal history repository. It covers arrest records, charges, and dispositions submitted by agencies across Arkansas. Cleburne County arrests and convictions reported to ACIC by local agencies will appear. Felonies and misdemeanors are both included. Open arrests without a final disposition may also show on the report.

Fingerprint-based checks return more accurate results than name-only searches. If you need a check for a job requiring a state license, a firearms purchase, or another regulated purpose, a fingerprint submission is typically required. ACIC coordinates fingerprint submissions for state checks. For FBI-level federal checks, contact an approved channeler or the FBI directly.

Sex Offender Registry

The Arkansas Crime Information Center runs the state sex offender registry at acic.arkansas.gov. Cleburne County registrants are in this database. Search by name, address, or proximity to find registered offenders living or working in and around Heber Springs, Quitman, Greers Ferry, and Drasco. Results show the person's name, photo, address, and offense. The search is free and public.

Arkansas requires registered sex offenders to check in with the county sheriff where they live, work, or go to school. Registration requirements differ by tier. The Cleburne County Sheriff's Office handles local registration. If a registrant's information in the database looks wrong or out of date, report it to the Sheriff's Office or directly to ACIC.

Expungement of Criminal Records

Arkansas expungement law is at Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-901. Expungement seals a record from public view. After the court issues an order, the person can legally say the offense did not happen in most situations. The record is not deleted but is removed from public access, including standard background check databases and CourtConnect searches.

Who qualifies depends on the offense and case outcome. First-time nonviolent offenders who completed probation or a suspended sentence for certain offenses may be eligible. Some drug offenses qualify. Juvenile records are addressed by Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309, which has separate and more protective rules for sealing. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes are generally not eligible for expungement.

To seek expungement in Cleburne County, file a petition with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Heber Springs. The judge reviews the petition. If approved, a sealing order is issued and all agencies holding the record must comply. An attorney with experience in Arkansas criminal law can help you determine if you qualify and guide you through the petition process.

Victim Notification and VINE

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) lets crime victims and others track inmates held in Cleburne County or any Arkansas correctional facility. Call 1-800-510-0415 to register by phone at any time, day or night. You can also register online. Provide a phone number or email and you will get automatic alerts when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. The service is free and confidential.

Attorneys, family members, and victim advocates use VINE regularly across Arkansas. For any custody question the system cannot answer, contact the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office during business hours.

Cities in Cleburne County

The main communities in Cleburne County are Heber Springs (the county seat), Quitman, Greers Ferry, and Drasco. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For criminal records tied to any address in Cleburne County, use the county-level resources on this page. The Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk in Heber Springs handle records for all areas within the county.

Nearby Counties

Cleburne County shares borders with several counties in north-central Arkansas. Each county maintains its own Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, and jail. Court records for all are searchable through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov.

• Faulkner County (southwest)
• Independence County (northeast)
• Sharp County (north)
• Stone County (northwest)
• Van Buren County (west)
• White County (south)