Crittenden County Criminal Records

Crittenden County criminal records are public documents held by the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk in Marion, Arkansas. This page explains how to request arrest records, search court cases, access inmate information, and run official background checks through county and state sources. Crittenden County is in eastern Arkansas on the Mississippi River, directly across from Memphis, and is one of Arkansas's most populous eastern counties. The county is served by the 2nd Judicial Circuit. All records access follows Arkansas FOIA procedures, and most court filings are searchable through the CourtConnect online system.

Arrest Records and Inmate Search

The Crittenden County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff handles patrol in unincorporated areas, operates the county jail, serves warrants and civil process, and works with state and federal agencies on criminal cases. Crittenden County is one of the larger and more active law enforcement jurisdictions in eastern Arkansas due to its population and proximity to the Memphis metro area. Arrest records from all incidents handled by county deputies are held at the Sheriff's Office in Marion and are available through written FOIA requests.

A standard Crittenden 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. Be as specific as possible when requesting records. Providing the subject's name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date helps staff find the right file and respond more quickly.

West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County. The West Memphis Police Department handles arrests within its city limits, and those records are kept by the West Memphis PD. West Memphis is below the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site, but criminal cases involving West Memphis residents are prosecuted in Crittenden County Circuit Court in Marion. Marion Police handles its own city jurisdiction as well. Officers in Earle, Turrell, and Edmondson cover those municipalities.

For city police records, contact the relevant municipal department. For county Sheriff's Office arrests, send a written FOIA request to the Crittenden County Sheriff in Marion. For current inmates at the Crittenden County Detention Center, call the Sheriff's Office during business hours to ask about the jail roster. State-sentenced inmates transferred to ADC facilities can be found through the ADC inmate search at apps.ark.org/inmate_info. Search by name or ADC number to find current housing, sentence data, and projected release date.

Circuit Clerk and Court Records

The Crittenden County Circuit Clerk maintains all official court records for the county. The Clerk's office is at the Crittenden County Courthouse in Marion. Criminal case filings, civil cases, domestic relations, and probate matters are all processed through this office. The Clerk records all court orders, judgments, and dispositions, maintains dockets, and issues summonses. Cases arising in West Memphis, Earle, and all other Crittenden County communities are filed and processed through the Marion courthouse.

CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the Arkansas Judiciary's free statewide case search portal. Most Crittenden County court filings since the system was launched are searchable there by name, case number, or filing date. You can find criminal, civil, and domestic cases without charge. CourtConnect shows docket entries, case type, parties, and disposition information. It is the most efficient way to start a court record search for Crittenden County.

For physical copies or certified documents, visit the Clerk's office in Marion or submit a written request by mail. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies for official purposes cost $5 per document. For older records not yet in the online system, call ahead to confirm availability. The Clerk can also tell you if any records are sealed or if a court order restricts access.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers Crittenden County. The prosecuting attorney for the circuit handles felony cases. Circuit court handles felony matters and major civil cases. District court handles misdemeanors. Both levels have records accessible through the Circuit Clerk's office and through CourtConnect.

FOIA and Public Access Laws

Arkansas public records law is at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any person may request records from a government agency in the state. You do not need to be an Arkansas resident and you do not need to state why you want the records. When you submit a written request, the agency must confirm within 24 hours whether the records exist. They must provide the records within three business days or give you a written explanation of the specific exemption they are relying on.

Records that are public include conviction records, felony arrest records, court case filings, booking records, and warrant records after service. Exempt records include juvenile case files, materials from active investigations, sealed court orders, medical records, grand jury proceedings, and adoption files. If part of a record is exempt, the agency must release the rest after removing the protected portions.

Crittenden County's size and activity level mean the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk handle a high volume of records requests. Written requests submitted clearly and specifically will get faster results. Include the full name, date of birth, and any case or incident numbers you have. For court records, send the request to the Circuit Clerk in Marion. For arrest records, send it to the Sheriff's Office. Agencies may only charge copying fees.

If a request is denied, the agency must state the exact exemption. Appeals go first to the agency head in writing. If that fails, circuit court can review the denial. Many refusals can be resolved by clarifying or narrowing the request rather than filing a formal appeal.

Arkansas State Background Checks

Official Arkansas background checks go through the Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check unit via the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Online submissions cost $22. Mail submissions 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.

The background check pulls from the ACIC criminal history repository. It includes arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by agencies statewide. Crittenden County arrests and convictions that were submitted to ACIC by local agencies will appear in the report. Both felonies and misdemeanors are covered. Open arrests without final dispositions may also show on the record.

Fingerprint-based checks return more complete and accurate results than name-based searches, especially for common names. If the check is for a professional license, firearms purchase, or another formal purpose, a fingerprint submission is usually required. ACIC handles state-level fingerprint processing. For FBI-level federal background 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. Crittenden County registrants appear in this database. You can search by name, address, or proximity to any location in the county. Given the county's population and urban density in the West Memphis area, the registry may show more registrants than smaller rural counties. Each result includes the person's name, photo, current address, and offense information. Searches are free and open to the public.

Arkansas law requires sex offenders to register with the county sheriff where they live, work, or attend school. Registration frequency depends on risk tier. The Crittenden County Sheriff manages local registration. If a registrant's information appears incorrect or outdated, report it to the Sheriff's Office or directly to ACIC.

Expungement of Criminal Records

Arkansas expungement is governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-901. An expungement seals a criminal record from public access. After a court issues the order, the person can legally say the offense did not occur in most situations. The underlying record is not destroyed but is removed from routine public access, including most background checks and CourtConnect results.

Eligibility is based on offense type and case outcome. First-time nonviolent offenders who completed probation or a suspended sentence for qualifying offenses may petition. Some drug offenses are eligible. Juvenile records are subject to Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309, which provides separate and generally more protective sealing rules. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes are generally not eligible.

To seek expungement in Crittenden County, file a petition with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marion. The judge reviews the petition. If approved, a sealing order is entered and all agencies must comply. An attorney experienced in Arkansas criminal law can help assess eligibility and prepare the petition. Given the volume of criminal cases in Crittenden County, an attorney can also help navigate the process more efficiently.

Victim Notification and VINE

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is free and runs 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-510-0415 to register by phone or sign up online. Give a phone number or email to receive automatic alerts when an inmate held in Crittenden County or any Arkansas facility is released, transferred, or escapes. Your contact information is kept confidential and is never shared with the inmate.

Attorneys, family members, and crime victims use VINE regularly throughout Arkansas. For any custody question the system cannot answer, contact the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office directly during business hours. Given the volume of activity in this county, it is best to have a specific name and booking number ready when calling.

Cities in Crittenden County

Crittenden County includes several communities. Marion is the county seat. West Memphis is the largest city in the county by population but falls below the threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. West Memphis Police handles municipal law enforcement there, and all criminal prosecutions for West Memphis cases proceed through Crittenden County Circuit Court in Marion. Other communities include Earle, Turrell, and Edmondson. For criminal records tied to any Crittenden County address, the county-level resources on this page are the correct starting point.

Nearby Counties

Crittenden County borders three Arkansas counties and is adjacent to Tennessee and Mississippi across the river. Neighboring Arkansas counties each have their own Sheriff's Office, Circuit Clerk, and jail. All are searchable through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov.

• Cross County (west)
• Mississippi County (north)
• St. Francis County (southwest)