Free links to official Arkansas state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 75 counties.
How to Search Arkansas Criminal Records (Start Here)
Arkansas criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Arkansas state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Arkansas repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Arkansas State Police publisher on review date. 5 primary .gov sources cited below.
Arkansas Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
Online Criminal Background Check (CBC) system covers Arkansas felony and misdemeanor convictions and pending felony arrests.
$22
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Online name-based check
Primary method
How to submit
Arkansas State Police
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
Ark. Code §12-12-1001
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — Arkansas Criminal Records
2026
Arkansas state-only check active
The Arkansas State Police continues to process state criminal history checks via cbc.ark.org.
✓ Truth: False. The Arkansas State Police check covers ONLY Arkansas arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only cbc.ark.org (the official Arkansas repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Arkansas law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Arkansas public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Arkansas state check shows Arkansas-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Visit Arkansas inmate search page for statewide information. ... The best way to locate or get information of any inmate currently incarcerated in Columbia County Justice & Detention Facility is to contact the County Jail for information on the inmate or visit them online at https://www.bop.gov/ .
For TIPS on navigating Search ARCourts, Click Here. If you experience problems with opening documents on your device, Click Here for troubleshooting the Safari settings to allow pop-ups
There are two systems for accessing criminal background check information through the Arkansas State Police . Please choose the option that applies to your search. If your answer is “Yes” to one of the following questions: Are you mandated ...
The facility itself covers 168,000 square feet, making it the largest Garland County-operated building. The facility consists of eight inmate housing units, an alternative sentencing unit, health services, inmate programs, a courtroom, food service, video visitation, maintenance/housekeeping, and a booking department.
The sheriff shall be conservator of the peace in his county. It shall be the duty of each sheriff to quell and suppress all assaults and batteries, affrays, insurrections, and unlawful assemblies; and he shall apprehend and commit to jail all felons and other offenders. The sheriff also works with the various local municipal law enforcement officials or other state and federal officials charged with law enforcement. ... Saline County Sheriff's Office 735 S.
Inmates · Newsletter from the Sheriff · Most Wanted · Press Releases · Services · Sex Offenders · Warrants · Contact · Back · Captain's News · CEMETERY PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT · Evolution of Law Enforcement in Arkansas · WHEN CAN THE POLICE LEGALLY SEARCH ME, MY CAR, ...
Find arrest records in Pulaski County. Learn more about how to lookup and obtain Pulaski County arrest records, outstanding warrants and booking information. Navigate the complexities of public records laws in Pulaski County.
Click on the pins on this map to view an offender’s details. Arkansas maintains case records for the Arkansas Supreme Court, Appellate Court (Court of Appeals), District Courts, and Circuit Courts (where judges travel to various locales). Case information from civil, criminal, domestic relations, ...
Anyone with information about inmate Schutz’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately. The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state and federal law enforcement to follow leads. ... NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Death row inmate Latavious Johnson, SK 979, was pronounced deceased around 3:30 p.m.
Thereafter, through good behavior and a positive work ethic an inmate may achieve a promotion in class as determined by the Unit Classification Committee. Disciplinary court decides when class should be reduced due to behavioral problems or disciplinary convictions. Transfer Eligibility Four Levels of Release Eligibility One of the duties of the Arkansas Sentencing Commission is to establish transfer eligibility for offensesand offenders.
75 Arkansas counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
How do I run an official Arkansas background check?▼
Arkansas's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Arkansas State Police. Begin the request at cbc.ark.org. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Arkansas statute.
Are Arkansas criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Arkansas is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Arkansas State Police explains who can request what at cbc.ark.org. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Arkansas?▼
A state check from the Arkansas State Police (cbc.ark.org) covers only criminal activity within Arkansas. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Arkansas criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Arkansas State Police. The Arkansas State Police documentation at cbc.ark.org lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct an Arkansas criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Arkansas criminal history, the Arkansas State Police offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at cbc.ark.org — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
