Find Arkansas Court Records Online (2025)

Have you ever wondered how to access Arkansas court records? Whether you’re conducting a background check, tracing family history, or seeking legal information, navigating the court record system can feel overwhelming. What documents are public? How do you request them? And what are your rights when it comes to accessing this vital information?

Arkansas court records, ranging from civil and criminal cases to probate and family law matters, provide valuable insights into legal proceedings.

However, understanding how to locate and obtain these records isn’t always straightforward. Challenges often include varying rules across jurisdictions, navigating online databases, and knowing which documents are restricted due to privacy laws.

But don’t worry—solutions exist to help you overcome these hurdles. With clear guidance on Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and access to user-friendly tools, uncovering the records you need can be simpler than you think. By learning where to search and understanding the restrictions that protect sensitive information, you’ll be equipped to tackle this process efficiently.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about accessing Arkansas court records, including tips to streamline your search and ensure compliance with state regulations.

How to Access Arkansas Court Records Online

Accessing Arkansas court records online can save you time and effort compared to in-person requests. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process effectively:

1. Understand What Records Are Available Online

Not all court records are digitized or accessible online. Generally, you can find:

• Civil case records
• Criminal case records
• Probate records
• Traffic violations
• Small claims cases

However, certain records, such as those involving juveniles or sealed cases, may not be available due to privacy laws.

2. Visit the Arkansas Judiciary Website

The Arkansas Judiciary provides a user-friendly portal called CourtConnect, which allows the public to access court records. You can visit it here: https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/.

3. Use Arkansas CourtConnect

CourtConnect is the primary tool for online record searches. Here’s how to use it:

• Step 1: Go to the CourtConnect website.
• Step 2: Choose your search method (by name, case type, or case number).
• Step 3: Enter the required information and refine your search with filters, if needed.
• Step 4: Review the search results and click on a specific case for detailed information.

4. Check Local Court Websites

Some Arkansas courts maintain their own websites with additional records or specific tools for online access. If the case you’re looking for isn’t in CourtConnect, try checking the court’s individual website.

5. Utilize Third-Party Services (Optional)

If you need additional assistance or broader search capabilities, consider using third-party services. These often charge a fee but may provide enhanced search features.

6. Be Aware of Fees

While basic searches on CourtConnect are free, downloading copies of documents or accessing certain case details may require a fee. Always review the costs before proceeding.

7. Ensure Compliance with State Laws

When accessing court records, avoid using the information for unlawful purposes. Misusing records can lead to legal consequences.

With these steps, accessing Arkansas court records online becomes a streamlined process.

Why Access Arkansas Court Records

Accessing Arkansas court records can serve a variety of purposes, benefiting individuals, businesses, and legal professionals alike. These records provide transparency into legal proceedings and offer valuable information for personal, professional, and legal needs. Below are some of the key reasons to access Arkansas court records:

1. Conducting Background Checks

Court records can reveal details about a person’s criminal history, civil disputes, or financial issues such as bankruptcies. Employers, landlords, and individuals often use these records to make informed decisions during hiring, leasing, or personal relationships.

2. Tracing Family History

Genealogists and historians access court records to uncover information about probate cases, wills, and property disputes, offering insight into family lineage and historical events.

3. Resolving Legal Disputes

For individuals or attorneys involved in ongoing cases, court records provide essential details about the status, motions, and judgments of a case. Reviewing similar past cases can also guide legal strategies.

4. Business Due Diligence

Businesses use court records to vet potential partners, verify the legal standing of entities, and assess risks associated with litigation or contract breaches.

5. Understanding Precedents and Legal Outcomes

Law students, researchers, and journalists study court records to analyze legal precedents, societal trends, or the workings of the judicial system in Arkansas.

6. Enforcing Rights and Settlements

Court records often contain crucial information regarding judgments, liens, and enforcement orders. This can help individuals or businesses ensure compliance with court rulings.

7. Promoting Transparency and Accountability

Court records are a cornerstone of an open justice system. Public access allows citizens to hold institutions and individuals accountable while maintaining trust in the legal process.

Understanding Arkansas’s Court System

The Arkansas court system is designed to handle a wide range of legal matters, from minor disputes to significant criminal and civil cases. Knowing how the system is structured can help you identify where to search for court records and understand the jurisdiction of different courts. Here’s a breakdown of the court system in Arkansas:

1. Arkansas Supreme Court

• Role: The highest court in the state.
• Jurisdiction: Handles appeals from lower courts, constitutional questions, and disciplinary cases involving judges and attorneys.
• Function: Sets legal precedents that guide other courts in Arkansas.

2. Arkansas Court of Appeals

• Role: The intermediate appellate court.
• Jurisdiction: Reviews appeals from circuit courts, except in cases involving constitutional issues or those reserved for the Supreme Court.
• Function: Reduces the caseload of the Supreme Court.

3. Circuit Courts

• Role: The primary trial courts in Arkansas.
• Jurisdiction: Divided into five divisions:
  • Civil: Handles lawsuits involving disputes between individuals or entities.
  • Criminal: Deals with felony and misdemeanor cases.
  • Domestic Relations: Covers family law matters like divorce, custody, and child support.
  • Probate: Handles wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions.
  • Juvenile: Focuses on cases involving minors, including delinquency and dependency-neglect cases.
• Availability of Records: Most court records originate here and are often the first place to search for detailed case information.

4. District Courts

• Role: Lower-level courts handling less serious matters.
• Jurisdiction:
  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Traffic violations
  • Small claims (up to $5,000)
  • Civil cases with lower monetary thresholds
• Function: Designed for quick resolution of minor disputes and offenses.

5. City Courts and Specialized Courts

• Role: Handle specific types of cases in certain cities or counties.
• Examples: Environmental courts or drug courts focusing on rehabilitation.
• Jurisdiction: Limited to specific case types or geographic areas.

6. Specialty: Administrative Courts

Role: Handle disputes involving state agencies, such as tax or workers’ compensation cases.

Key Points to Remember

• Jurisdiction Matters: Start your search in the court that handled the type of case you’re interested in (e.g., family law in circuit court, traffic violations in district court).
• Appeals Flow Upward: If a case has been appealed, records may exist at multiple levels, from circuit courts to appellate courts.
• CourtConnect: Arkansas’s online portal primarily covers circuit and district court records, making it an essential tool for accessing case information.

By understanding the structure and function of Arkansas’s courts, you can efficiently navigate the system to locate the records you need.

How to Request Court Records in Person

Requesting court records in person can be an effective way to access official documents, especially if the records are not available online or if you prefer direct assistance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you request Arkansas court records in person:

1. Determine the Correct Court

Arkansas court records are maintained at the courthouse where the case was filed or heard. Start by identifying the type of case and its corresponding court:

• Circuit Court: For criminal, civil, family, probate, or juvenile cases.
• District Court: For traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims.
• Appellate Courts: For appeals handled by the Arkansas Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.

2. Locate the Courthouse

Find the physical address of the courthouse. Use the Arkansas Judiciary’s website or search for the specific county or city court. Contact the clerk’s office in advance to confirm their address and business hours.

3. Prepare the Necessary Information

Bring details about the case to ensure a successful search, including:

• Case number (if known)
• Names of the parties involved
• Date of the case or event
• Type of record (criminal, civil, probate, etc.)

If you don’t have the case number, providing names and approximate dates will help the clerk locate the records.

4. Visit the Clerk’s Office

Go to the courthouse’s Clerk of Court or Records Office.

• For circuit court records, visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
• For district court records, visit the District Court Clerk’s Office.

Inform the staff of the type of records you need and provide the case information.

5. Review Public Access Policies

Some courthouses have self-service terminals for public record searches. In other cases, the clerk may assist in retrieving the files. Note that:

• Certain records (e.g., juvenile or sealed cases) may not be accessible.
• Copies of records may require specific authorization if they involve restricted information.

6. Pay the Required Fees

There may be fees associated with retrieving, copying, or certifying records. Common charges include:

• Search Fees: For locating records manually.
• Copy Fees: Per page of documents.
• Certification Fees: If you need certified copies for legal purposes.

Be prepared to pay via cash, check, or credit card, depending on the courthouse’s policies.

7. Review the Records On-Site

You may be allowed to review the records on-site before requesting copies. Take notes or request specific documents to be copied.

8. Request Certified Copies (if Needed)

If you need official, court-stamped copies of records, inform the clerk and pay the additional certification fee. Certified copies are often required for legal filings or formal documentation.

9. Ask Questions

If you encounter difficulties locating the records, don’t hesitate to ask the court staff for guidance. They can provide insights on searching archives or directing you to the right resources.

10. Follow Up if Necessary

If the records are not immediately available, the clerk may need additional time to retrieve them. Be sure to provide your contact information and follow up as instructed.

Tips for Success

• Arrive Early: Courthouses are often busiest in the afternoon.
• Bring ID: Some records may require you to verify your identity.
• Be Patient: Depending on the case and volume of requests, processing time may vary.

By following these steps, you’ll efficiently navigate the process of requesting Arkansas court records in person while ensuring compliance with courthouse procedures.

How to Seal or Expunge Arkansas Court Records

Sealing or expunging Arkansas court records can help individuals move forward without the burden of a public criminal record. The process involves legally restricting access to records so they are no longer visible to the public, but it requires meeting specific eligibility criteria and following detailed steps. Here’s how to navigate the process:

1. Understand the Difference Between Sealing and Expungement

In Arkansas, the terms are often used interchangeably:

• Sealing: Makes the records inaccessible to the public, though they still exist and may be accessible to certain entities, such as law enforcement.
• Expungement: In some cases, it may refer to the complete destruction of the records, though Arkansas typically uses “sealing.”

2. Determine Eligibility

Not all cases qualify for sealing. Common eligible cases include:

• Misdemeanors
• Certain non-violent felonies
• Dismissed charges or acquittals
• Completed diversion programs or probation
• Juvenile records

Ineligible Cases:

• Serious violent felonies (e.g., murder, rape)
• Certain sex offenses

Eligibility may depend on the type of offense, the time elapsed since the case closed, and whether all fines, fees, and restitution have been paid.

3. Gather Necessary Documents

Before starting the process, collect the following:

• Court case number
• Arrest records
• Sentencing information
• Proof of completion of probation or parole (if applicable)
• Receipts for fines, fees, and restitution

These documents are usually available at the courthouse where the case was handled.

4. File a Petition to Seal Records

The process begins by filing a Petition to Seal Records in the court where the case was heard. Follow these steps:

• Obtain the Petition to Seal Records form, which is often available on the Arkansas Judiciary website or at the courthouse.
• Complete the form, providing case details, reasons for sealing, and evidence of eligibility.
• Submit the petition to the court clerk and pay any applicable filing fees.

5. Notify the Prosecutor

Once the petition is filed, the prosecutor will be notified and given a chance to object. They may oppose the sealing if they believe it is not in the public’s interest.

6. Attend a Court Hearing (if Required)

In some cases, the judge may schedule a hearing to review your petition. Be prepared to:

• Explain why sealing the record is justified.
• Present evidence of rehabilitation (e.g., employment, education, or community involvement).
• Address any objections from the prosecutor.

7. Wait for the Court’s Decision

The judge will decide whether to approve or deny the petition. If approved, the records will be ordered sealed. You will receive documentation confirming this.

8. Understand the Impact of a Sealed Record

• The record will no longer appear in public searches or background checks.
• You can legally state that you have not been convicted of the sealed offense in most situations.
• Certain entities, like law enforcement and licensing boards, may still have access to the records.

9. Follow Up to Ensure Records Are Sealed

After the court grants your petition, confirm that the records have been sealed with:

• The court clerk
• The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), which maintains Arkansas criminal records

10. Seek Legal Assistance if Needed

The process can be complex, especially for more serious cases. Consulting an attorney familiar with Arkansas record-sealing laws can help ensure the process is completed correctly.

Final Verdict

Accessing and understanding Arkansas court records is essential for a variety of purposes, from conducting background checks to researching legal cases or tracing family history. These records, whether criminal, civil, probate, or family law-related, provide valuable insights into the judicial process and play a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability.

However, navigating the Arkansas court record system can present challenges. Varying rules across jurisdictions, restrictions on sealed or juvenile cases, and the need for detailed information to locate records are common hurdles. Thankfully, tools like Arkansas CourtConnect and in-person access through clerk offices make the process more accessible to the public.

For those looking to seal or expunge records, Arkansas provides a clear pathway for eligible individuals to protect their privacy and move forward without the weight of a public record.

Ultimately, whether you’re a legal professional, researcher, or individual seeking personal information, understanding the system and your rights is the first step. By using the resources available, adhering to state regulations, and seeking professional assistance when needed, you can access Arkansas court records efficiently and responsibly, empowering yourself with the information you need.