Crawford County Arrest Records

Arrest records are documents created upon a person's arrest due to unlawful activities. A typical arrest record comprises information about the arrested individual, the arresting officer, the crime, and other associated information about the incident.

Arrests in Crawford take place when a law enforcement officer is reasonably convinced that a crime occurred and a specific person or persons committed it (also called "probable cause"). Probable cause may arise through direct observation of an individual committing a crime, information given to the police, or after an investigation yields enough evidence. A warrant issued by a judge can also force an arrest when sufficient grounds exist.

Those arrested in Crawford County are usually booked into the Crawford County Detention Center. The detention center is a booking and holding facility for detainees while they await their court dates or release.

Law enforcement agencies in Crawford, like the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, usually maintain arrest records, which are crucial for different processes within the criminal justice system, like charging offenders. These records may also become part of other public records as an offender moves through the justice system. For example, arrest information may appear in the Crawford County court records. The court records provide details about the events that occurred following an arrest, such as the charges filed, court appearances, and case results.

Are Arrest Records Public in Crawford County?

Yes, arrest records in Crawford County are generally public. According to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most governmental records, including arrest records, are open to the public.

However, certain records are not entirely open to all members of the public. There are also other records that the law exempts from being divulged to the general public in any situation. The following are the significant exemptions to the public disclosure of arrest records.

Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Arrest records that form part of an active criminal investigation are exempt under the FOIA. This exemption serves to limit interference with law enforcement investigations and safeguard witnesses or confidential informants. Such records can be released to the public if the investigation is closed unless another exemption applies.

Juvenile Records: Arrest records of juveniles are not made available to the general public. Juvenile records are well-guarded to protect the privacy and future life of a minor who has been in contact with the criminal justice system. Only specific individuals, such as legal guardians or law enforcement personnel, can obtain such records.

Personal and Confidential Information: Information from an arrest record can be expunged or withheld if its release constitutes an invasion of personal privacy or a breach of confidentiality. Examples include an accused person's identifying information (such as a Social Security number), medical information, and any other information not deemed in the public interest.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Crawford County usually contain the following information:

Personal Information of the Arrested Individual

• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Race/Ethnicity

Arrest Information

• Date and Time of Arrest
• Location of Arrest
• Arresting Agency
• Name of Arresting Officer or Badge Number, if known

Charges/Offenses

• Description
• Offense Codes
• Classification: Misdemeanor, Felony, etc.
• Counts

Booking Details

• Booking Number
• Booking Date and Time
• Booking Location
• Mugshot/Booking Photograph

Bail/Bond Details

• Bail Amount
• Bail Type: Cash Bond, Surety Bond, etc

Court Details

• Court Date
• Court Location
• Case Number

Jail Information

• Facility Name
• Inmate Number
• Detention Status, i.e., released or held in custody

Crawford County Arrest Statistics

The Arkansas County Uniform Crime Reporting Program reported 231 adult arrests and 45 juvenile arrests in Crawford County in 2023. The arrests reported were for various offenses. However, the leading crime for adults and juveniles was simple assault. Specifically, 122 adults were arrested on simple assault charges, constituting more than half of the total adult arrests documented in Crawford County that year. Conversely, 37 juvenile arrests were due to simple assault.

Find Crawford County Arrest Records

Multiple sources can be used to look up records of arrested persons in Crawford County. Individuals can start their search with the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) Inmate Information site. Interested requesters can provide the inmate's name, ADC number, or other identifying information on this portal. Search results provide critical information, such as an inmate's status, charges, and incarceration history. However, specific county arrest information is not included in the results.

For a local arrest record record, one may approach the Crawford County Sheriff's Office or arresting municipal police agency. The Sheriff's Office keeps a repository of local arrest and booking records and extends access via its online inmate portal. Should inquirers require further details, they may get in touch with the Sheriff's Office directly through a telephone call or email or the specific arresting department. Also, an in-person arrest record search is possible.

On the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Prisons provides an inmate locator to look up those in federal custody after an arrest. To use this tool, one may simply access the BOP Inmate Locator page and insert an inmate's name or register number. The results include the inmate's location, status, and release date.

Free Arrest Record Search in Crawford County

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office online inmate portal may be utilized to find arrest information about those in the county jail free of charge, including the agency that may have performed an arrest. Parties can also make inquiries directly to an arresting agency with a person's full name or date of birth. A fee may not be charged for inspection-only requests.

Alternatively, third-party websites can provide requesters with free access to arrest records. They consolidate public records from many sources into one location, including police departments. They often offer search functionality that allows users to enter certain details to access arrest records. Since they pull data from various counties and territories, they offer a broader scope of information than their county-level counterparts. However, users must be cautious regarding the accuracy of the information they receive.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests are not removed from a person's criminal record in Crawford County unless sealed. Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-90-1401 et seq. enables persons to apply for sealing of their arrest records when they meet the following conditions:

• The arrest did not result in a conviction.
• The defendant was released, or the case was dismissed.
• The defendant completed some form of diversion.

Where an arrest results in a conviction, it will remain on record for life, but depending on the type of crime committed, a defendant may qualify for sealing after a certain period elapses.

Expunge Crawford County Arrest Records

Arrest record sealing (previously called an expungement) in Crawford County is a judicial process where an arrest record is sealed or withdrawn from general access. This relief is only available to eligible persons. Those who apply for sealing must usually have arrests related to non-violent misdemeanors or specific felonies (violent or sexual offenses are usually ineligible).

Moreover, they must fully serve their sentences, including imprisonment, probation, or parole. There should also be no pending criminal case filings against their persons. Many jurisdictions also impose a waiting period after serving a sentence before a person can file for record sealing. Finally, there should be no more arrests or convictions for crimes after the party served a sentence.

Eligibility determination is the first step in the record-sealing process; a review of specific eligibility criteria under Arkansas law must be considered. After establishing eligibility, the next procedure involves obtaining a copy of one's arrest records from the appropriate law enforcement agency or court. These records provide further assistance in verifying what qualifies to be sealed.

Next, one must complete the sealing petition or application and submit it to the jurisdictional court in Crawford County. The court's filing fee must also be paid. Some courts permit fee waivers when the fee presents an undue burden on an indigent petitioner.

After filing, the petitioner may be required to serve the prosecuting attorney and other related agencies with notice about their sealing request. Subsequently, a hearing may be held, where one has to present themselves before the judge and explain why their record should be sealed.

If the court approves the petition, an order of sealing will be granted. If granted, the applicant's arrest records will be sealed (removed) from public view.

Crawford County Arrest Warrants

A Crawford County arrest warrant is a government-issued document addressed to the police to put a person into custody because of a crime. Warrants are signed and approved by a judge or magistrate based on the evidence/facts submitted against an individual. These writs can also be issued for failure to appear, failure to follow a probation term/condition, or failure to pay a court-mandated fine.

Arrest warrants list pertinent information such as the suspect's name, the crime they are accused of committing, the date and place where the warrant was issued, the judge's signature, and the jurisdiction where the warrant can be acted upon.

Do Crawford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants issued in Crawford County do not expire. Once a judge issues an arrest warrant, it is valid for an indefinite period until executed by the police or rescinded by the court. This implies that days or years after the issuance of the warrant, the police retain the authority to arrest the person named in that warrant.