Jefferson County Arrest Records

An arrest record in Jefferson County is created when someone is reasonably suspected of a crime and taken into custody to respond to the allegations. Following an arrest, the individual will be booked and held in the county jail (minors are detained at the Juvenile Detention Facility). The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office oversees the adult and juvenile detention facilities in Jefferson, which serve as temporary holding centers until the arrestee is released on bail (if eligible) or the trial process is completed. The adult facility also holds convicted offenders and those to be transported to the Arkansas Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Jefferson County court records and arrest records are among the essential records created within the criminal justice system in Jefferson. These records reveal the events and proceedings that occur when an individual is brought to the criminal justice system following a crime.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County?

Yes. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the regulatory statute for Jefferson public records. Under the FOIA, interested parties can obtain arrest records from their custodians; as such, these documents are deemed public.

When an arrest record custodian receives a request for a copy of a record, they are mandated to provide access to the requester within a reasonable time. A custodian may only deny access if the requested arrest record is restricted.

Arrest records are restricted by statute or court order if a substantial cause exists to do so, such as a need to protect an arrestee's privacy. Other reasons for restriction include when the record pertains to a juvenile, ongoing investigation, or constitutes medical information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Jefferson County arrest records that are not restricted by court order or the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are available to the public. These accessible records typically include an arrestee's full name, age, gender, race, address, arrest date, arresting agency, and charges. They also contain the arrestee's mugshot, booking number, booking date, bail amount, and release date.

Jefferson County Arrest Statistics

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) releases Jefferson County arrest statistics to the public. Each year, local law enforcement agencies in Arkansas report these statistics through the Arkansas Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), part of the DPS, is responsible for the annual Arkansas crime and arrest publications, which carry arrest statistics from Jefferson County.

Per the ACIC's 2023 Arrest by Contributor publication, Jefferson County recorded 1,280 arrests. The majority—1,103—were adult arrests (involving individuals aged 18 and above), while 374 were juvenile arrests. The county had 722 adult arrests and 144 juvenile arrests for Group A offenses like robbery, assault, and shoplifting. Meanwhile, there were 381 adult arrests and 99 juvenile arrests for Group B offenses like bad checks and trespass.

Researchers can compare the Arrest by Contributor report with the Offense by Contributor publication to comprehensively analyze crime trends in Jefferson County.

Find Jefferson County Arrest Records

The primary custodian of an arrest record is the police agency that generated the record. Individuals may contact the arresting agency to request an arrest record in their custody. Contact can be made in person, via mail, or by phone if the agency permits. Arrest records can also be viewed on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Inmate Roster. The roster contains arrest information on inmates in the county jail. Researchers may scroll through the roster or search for specific inmates using their first or last names.

Individuals can use the Arkansas Department of Corrections Inmate Search feature to find an offender currently housed in a state prison. An inmate search primarily uses the inmate's name or ADC number. Filters provided on the platform can also be used during a search. It should be noted that the release date of inmates who committed an offense before turning 18 may not be accurately reflected on the database because the inmate may be eligible for earlier release.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) runs prisons at the federal level. Inquirers can search for an inmate incarcerated in a federal facility after their court case using the BOP's Inmate Locator. The inmate's name or assigned ID (FBI, DCDC, INS, or BOP) may be used to initiate a search. The locator only includes records for inmates incarcerated from 1982 to the present.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jefferson County

Local law enforcement agencies may provide arrest information to inquirers for free, provided a copy of the record is not required. However, arrest information of individuals other than current detainees in the county jail may not be accessible remotely.

Parties who want remote access to Jefferson County arrest records can utilize third-party resources. Accessing arrest records via third-party resources is often convenient, and researchers are usually privy to some arrest information for free. It is important to note that information from a third-party vendor may differ from that of official sources. Researchers are advised to utilize reputable third-party sources to mitigate the risk of acquiring inaccurate information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An individual's arrest record is maintained as part of their "record" (criminal history) indefinitely unless sealed by the court. In Jefferson County, expungement is not automatic and must be initiated by the individual through a court petition. If the individual is eligible and all requirements are met, the arrest can be sealed or removed from their record. A record's eligibility for expungement depends on factors such as the offense committed, the arrestee's conviction status, and other circumstances surrounding the case.

Expunge Jefferson County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Jefferson County are sealed per the Arkansas Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013. Generally, individuals can petition the court to seal their arrest record if the charges were dropped against them, not filed (within one year), or if they were judged not guilty. However, if a person were prosecuted and convicted of a charge, sealing the arrest record is only possible under specific conditions.

If the conviction was for a misdemeanor or violation, a petition can be filed immediately after the completion of the sentence. A sentence completion includes the payment of all associated fines (restitution, court costs, and reinstatement fines). Notwithstanding, the following misdemeanor offenses are ineligible for sealing until five years have elapsed after the sentence completion:

• A Class A misdemeanor negligent homicide
• Indecent exposure
• Public sexual indecency
• Third-degree battery
• Third-degree domestic battery
• Fourth-degree sexual assault
• A misdemeanor traffic offense where the offender possessed a commercial learner's permit or driver's license

Driving or boating while intoxicated violations are also ineligible for sealing till the lookback period has passed. If a misdemeanor petition is denied, the petitioner must wait 90 days before submitting a new application.

Individuals sentenced for the following felony offenses are permitted to file a sealing petition immediately after the completion of their sentence:

• A nonviolent Class C or D felony
• An unclassified felony
• A nonviolent felony committed while the petitioner was below 18 years of age
• A Class A or B felony under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act

A violent Class C or D felony is eligible for sealing five years from the completion of the sentence. The following felony offenses are ineligible for sealing:

• A Class Y felony
• A Class A or B felony not under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act
• Manslaughter
• A sexual felony offense
• Some violent felony offenses
• A traffic offense if the individual was a holder of a commercial learner's permit or driver's license at the time the offense occurred

A qualifying "traffic offense" does not include parking violations, vehicle defect violations, or vehicle weight violations. A petitioner who wants to expunge a felony conviction must not have more than one previous felony conviction, even if it is sealed.

Filing a petition for misdemeanor and felony arrest records in Jefferson County is free. However, a petition can only be filed in the county court if the arrest occurred in the county. If a petition is successful, the arrest record becomes confidential and inaccessible to the public.

Jefferson County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a formal document from a judge or magistrate directing a peace officer to apprehend a person and bring them before the court.

A warrant is issued when the presiding official examines a complaint made by an individual on oath. The complaint must suggest that a person has committed a criminal offense and needs to be arrested. It must also contain sufficient evidence or facts to prove the accused's commission of the offense. The judge or magistrate may release the warrant of arrest if satisfied that probable cause is present. In felony cases, the presiding judicial official may summon anyone believed to have valuable information on the incident before issuing a warrant.

A Jefferson County warrant generally includes the following information:

• The name of the accused
• The charges
• A written command for arrest
• The issue date of the warrant
• The name, title, and signature of the judge

Any law enforcement officer in the county may execute an arrest warrant. Upon execution, the officer must provide a written report on the time and manner of the arrest to the judge before whom the accused is brought.

Do Jefferson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. The validity of an arrest warrant in Jefferson County is not time-dependent. When a warrant is released, it remains active until it is executed, regardless of how much time has passed. However, the court can invalidate a warrant at any time. A warrant may be invalidated when an arrest is no longer necessary or when the warrant is defective. If a defective warrant is quashed, a fresh one may be issued if an arrest is still deemed necessary.