Arkansas Criminal Court Records Search
Arkansas criminal court records are created and maintained by the various state and county courts, that provide details of a person's convictions and interactions with the state's Criminal Justice System. Understanding the different courts involved, what types of criminal cases they hear, and the process of obtaining these records is a helpful skill that can be applied to a multitude of utilities. These records are often referenced while running background checks, or accessing a person's criminal history. Since these are publicly available records, anyone can resource this information for most any reason.
Courts Handling Criminal Cases in Arkansas
In Arkansas, criminal cases are handled by two different levels of courts: District Courts and Circuit Courts. Each court plays a distinct role in the criminal justice process, depending on the severity and nature of the case will dictate which court hears respective case. Here is a breakdown of each:
AR District Courts: The District level is most commonly the starting point for many criminal cases. They handle the less severe cases such as misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and certain civil matters. These courts can also issue arrest and bench warrants, set bail, and run preliminary hearings and arraignments to determine whether there is enough evidence to advance felony cases to Circuit level. District Courthouses spread across various jurisdictions, often determined by county, such as the courthouse in Little Rock.
AR Circuit Courts: The Circuit level is the main trial court that handles the more serious criminal cases, including felonies. They handle a multitude of other cases that are divided into divisions, such as criminal, civil, probate, and juvenile. Each of these divisions focuses on specific types of cases. In criminal matters, the Circuit Courts are responsible for conducting trials, plea-bargains, and sentencings. They also handle various appeals from District level.
The Role of the Arkansas Court of Appeals
The AR Court of Appeals is an intermediate in the state's judicial system that reviews decisions mostly made by the Circuit level. When a conviction is appealed, it does not go back to trial , but instead evaluates whether court procedures were properly followed which could have potentially affected the outcome. The Court of Appeals hears a wide spectrum of appealed criminal convictions, and certain cases can be further appealed to the state's Supreme Court. However, to be escalated to this level there needs to be significant issues with the case for it make it to the Supreme level.
Requesting Copies of Arkansas Criminal Court Records
Running Arkansas criminal court records search is a process that may require interacting with different courts depending on the case's status and location. There are a couple of different options on requesting copies of criminal case files depending on the usage for them. While these are considered public records, only certain parties can request certified copies of case records, while anyone can view these records online.
Arkansas also provides online access to court records through the state's Judiciary’s Court Connect system. This platform allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or date. While not all records may be available online, especially for older or more sensitive cases, Court Connect offers a convenient way to access many criminal records without visiting a courthouse. Another option is to contact the Clerk of the Courts to request assistance in access to court proceedings, and outcomes. This is a valuable resource for those that need a little extra assistance.
Are Arkansas Criminal Court Records Publicly Available?
Yes, anyone can access and view AR court case records by using either the state's Judiciary website, or various third party resources. All you need to run an Arkansas public court records search is either the name of the respective parties, or the specific case number.
Can I Lookup Someone's Arkansas Criminal Court Convictions?
Yes, these are considered public records that can be accessed by anyone using respective courthouse website, or through third party court records websites. There are multiple options when looking up criminal convictions online. These will also show up on a person's criminal background check.
