Find Criminal Records in Craighead County
Craighead County criminal records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Clerk, both located in Jonesboro. Whether you are trying to look up an arrest, check on an inmate at the detention center, pull court case details, or understand how to make a formal records request, this page covers the offices, fees, online tools, and legal rules that apply to Craighead County.
Craighead County Criminal Records Overview
Craighead County Sheriff's Office
The Craighead County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency for criminal records in the county. The office is at 901 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401, and the Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is (870) 933-4551.
The Sheriff handles arrest records, incident reports, inmate custody information, and general criminal history requests. Records staff can pull files on arrests, bookings, and charges going back many years. The office also manages the county detention center, which sits at the same Willett Road address and has separate contact information for detention-related inquiries at (870) 933-4556.
The detention facility has a rated capacity of 62 beds, split into 32 male, 28 female, and 2 isolation beds. Both pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants are held at this facility. Pre-trial stays average about 45 days. Sentenced misdemeanants typically serve 90 to 180 days. A Juvenile Detention Center is also operated under the county and is supervised by the Juvenile Director, with educational programs run under the Jonesboro Public School system.
Craighead County Inmate Roster
The online inmate roster for the Craighead County Detention Center is available at myr2m.com/craigheadroster. The roster is split into four views: New Inmates, Current Inmates, 48 Hour Release, and a name-based search with date filters.
Each inmate record includes the full name with booking photo, age and demographic information, city of residence, booking date and time, specific charges with Arkansas statute numbers, bond amount and bond type, case numbers, and the arresting agency. Some typical charges you will see on the Craighead roster include possession of a controlled substance (Schedule 1 or 2, specifically methamphetamine under 5-64-419), obstructing governmental operations under A.C.A. § 5-54-102, fleeing under § 5-54-125, theft of $1,000 or less, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, criminal trespass, and failure to appear.
For statewide inmate searches covering people who have been transferred to an Arkansas Department of Corrections facility, use the ADC Inmate Search. That database is separate from the county roster and covers sentenced inmates held at state prisons.
Note: The online roster only reflects current custody and does not include people who have been released or whose cases were resolved before booking.
How to Request Records from the Craighead Sheriff
Craighead County accepts records requests in person, by mail, and for basic information online. In-person requests are handled at 901 Willett Road. Bring a valid photo ID, complete the public records form at the front desk, and pay copying fees at the time of your request. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days for recent records. Older or more complex searches can take longer.
Written requests should be mailed to: Craighead County Sheriff's Office Records Division, 901 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Include your full name, contact information, the subject's full name and date of birth, the approximate dates of the records you are looking for, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response. Be as specific as possible in describing what you need.
Fee structure: The Sheriff charges $20 per name search. Electronic copies of case files cost $10 per case. Paper copies are $0.25 per page. The Arkansas State Police background check is a separate product that costs $25 for a mail-in check using form ASP-122, sent to 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209. You can also use the online check at cbc.ark.org for $22.
Free options exist if you want to avoid fees. The public terminals at the Sheriff's office let you view the inmate roster and basic records without charge. Court dockets at the Circuit Clerk are also viewable free of charge in the office. Arkansas VINE provides free victim notification and offender status checks at 1-800-510-0415.
Circuit Clerk and Court Records
The Craighead County Circuit Clerk maintains all official court files for felony criminal cases tried in the county. The office is at 511 Union Street, Suite 107, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and the phone number is (870) 933-4520.
Circuit court records in Craighead County include felony criminal case files, civil case files, domestic matters, probate proceedings, and juvenile case files. Juvenile records are generally sealed under A.C.A. § 9-27-309 and are not part of the public record. Adult conviction records, completed criminal cases, and court dockets are publicly accessible.
The statewide court records portal, Arkansas CourtConnect, covers Craighead County cases along with the rest of the state. You can search by name, case number, or filing date without charge for basic docket information. The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts supports CourtConnect at 501-410-1900 or 866-823-5778. Document copies carry the $0.25 per page fee.
Arkansas Public Records Access Rules
Craighead County criminal records are public under Arkansas FOIA, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. The law requires that all public records be open to any Arkansas citizen during the regular business hours of the record custodian. There is no requirement to explain why you are requesting records or to show a connection to the case.
Certain records are restricted from public release. Active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes. Records for dismissed cases, acquittals, and sealed matters are restricted under A.C.A. § 12-12-1504. On the other side, A.C.A. § 12-12-1506(d) makes conviction records and felony arrest records public without needing the subject's consent. Most of what people look for in a standard Craighead County criminal records search falls into the public category.
Expunged records follow a different path. Once an Arkansas court enters an Order to Seal under A.C.A. § 16-90-901 or § 16-90-1417, the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) removes the record from its database within 30 days. After expungement, the record will not show up in public records searches or in official background check results.
State-Level Criminal Record Resources
ACIC runs the statewide criminal history database and operates the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry under A.C.A. §§ 12-12-203(a). The sex offender registry is free to search online at acic.arkansas.gov and includes name, address, photo, conviction details, and registration status.
The Arkansas Judiciary website at arcourts.gov covers all state courts, including Craighead County's circuit and district courts. It links to CourtConnect and provides information about court procedures, forms, and public access policies. If you have questions about a specific case or need help navigating the court system, the Judiciary site is a good starting point.
Record Retention Periods
Understanding how long Craighead County keeps records helps you know whether a specific record is still available. Arrest records are kept permanently. Booking records are retained for 7 years after release. Misdemeanor case records are kept for 10 years after case closure. Felony records are retained permanently. Court dockets are permanent. Jail records follow a 7-year retention schedule.
Investigation files for solved cases are kept for 20 years. Unsolved cases and all homicide records are permanent. These retention periods mean that recent arrests and convictions are almost always available, while older records may have been purged depending on the case type and outcome.
Craighead County Sheriff's Office Records
The Craighead County Sheriff's website is where you can find the inmate roster, records request information, and contact details for the Records Division. The image below shows the Sheriff's official online presence, which is the primary access point for Craighead County criminal records online.
The Sheriff's site links to the online inmate roster, warrant information, and records request procedures. It also provides directions to the facility and information about contacting the Records Division directly.
Craighead County Criminal Records Online
For broader access to Craighead County criminal history data, the Craighead County Sheriff's Office is the official resource for arrest records, inmate information, and public records requests in the county.
Combining the Sheriff's online tools with CourtConnect gives you a fairly complete picture of Craighead County criminal activity, from initial booking through final court disposition. Both are free for basic lookups.
Legal Aid and Support Services
Craighead County residents who need help with criminal records matters can contact Arkansas Legal Aid at 1-800-952-9243 or the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at 501-376-3423. Both organizations offer free legal assistance to income-qualifying residents and can help with questions about expungements, sealed records, and court proceedings.
Mail sent to inmates at the Craighead County Detention Center goes through Smart Communications. Address letters to: Smart Communications - Craighead County, Arkansas, followed by the inmate's full name and ID number.
Cities in Craighead County
Jonesboro is the county seat and largest city in Craighead County. It is the only city in the county with a population above the qualifying threshold for a dedicated records page.
Other communities in Craighead County include Lake City, Caraway, Brookland, Bono, and Bay. Residents in those communities use the same Craighead County Sheriff and Circuit Clerk offices for criminal records access.
Nearby Counties
Craighead County shares borders with several northeastern Arkansas counties. Each maintains its own Sheriff and Circuit Clerk offices for criminal records.