St. Francis County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Francis County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in St. Francis County may access publicly available information through StFrancisRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. St. Francis County criminal records may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking information, conviction histories, and sentencing details. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing disclosure.
Record categories that may be accessible include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrants
- Jail inmate rosters
- Sex offender registration entries
- Protective orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public:
1. County Court Records: The St. Francis County Circuit Court maintains case files for criminal matters filed within the county.
St. Francis County Circuit Court
313 South Izard Street
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1725
Arkansas Judiciary
Members of the public may visit the clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should provide the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse for case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office: The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters.
St. Francis County Sheriff's Office
100 North Rosser Street
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1720
St. Francis County Sheriff
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or in writing. Fees for copies apply per Arkansas law.
3. Online Court Search: The Arkansas Judiciary provides a statewide case search portal at the Arkansas Court Connect platform. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal covers circuit and district court records statewide, though not all historical records are digitized.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Arkansas State Police maintains the state's criminal history repository.
Arkansas State Police — Criminal History Division
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8500
Arkansas State Police ACIC
Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's identifying information and, for certain purposes, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
5. Written/Mail Requests: Written requests for court records may be submitted to the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk at 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 72335. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days.
What Is St. Francis County Criminal Records
A criminal record in St. Francis County is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, compiled and maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Arkansas law, a criminal record may encompass arrest records, charging documents, court case filings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation or parole status.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential sentences exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Juvenile records are subject to sealing under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in St. Francis County include:
- St. Francis County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- St. Francis County Circuit Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Arkansas State Police ACIC — statewide criminal history repository
- Forrest City Police Department — local arrest and incident records
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, preliminary hearings, trial, sentencing, and post-conviction proceedings. The Arkansas Judiciary serves as the primary repository for court-generated criminal records at the county level.
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Francis County
Criminal records in St. Francis County are public records under Arkansas law. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., establishes that "public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and arrest logs are accessible to members of the public under this framework.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information
- Mental health and medical records within case files
- Records subject to court-ordered sealing
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed separately under federal law and are not subject to Arkansas FOIA. The Arkansas Attorney General's office provides guidance on FOIA compliance and the scope of public access to government records.
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Francis County Online
Official County Resources: The primary online portal for St. Francis County court records is the Arkansas Court Connect case search system, maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary. Users may search by party name or case number without registration. The portal returns case filings, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for circuit and district court matters. The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate rosters and recent booking information.
State-Level Resources: The Arkansas State Police operates the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), which serves as the statewide criminal history background check system. The Arkansas Judiciary case search covers all Arkansas counties and provides a statewide search capability.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal is comprehensive
- Note that records older than approximately 2000 may not be fully digitized
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating electronic filing are not consistently available online. Online search results do not constitute an official background check and should not be used as a substitute for certified records in employment or licensing contexts.
Can You Search St. Francis County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Arkansas law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, agencies may charge only for the actual cost of reproduction, not for inspection. In-person inspection is available at the St. Francis County Circuit Court Clerk's office and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The Arkansas Court Connect portal is free to use and requires no registration. The Arkansas State Police sex offender registry is also publicly accessible at no cost.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office at no charge for inspection.
What Costs Money:
| Item | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state background check (ACIC) | $22.00 (non-fingerprint) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $25.00+ |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee amounts are subject to change and are set by the originating agency or by state statute. Arkansas FOIA does not provide for fee waivers based on indigency in all circumstances, though individual agencies may exercise discretion.
What's Included in a St. Francis County Criminal Record
Identifying Information: Full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Date and time of arrest, arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at arrest, bail or bond amount, and jail facility of detention.
Court Case Information: Case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition: Verdict or plea outcome, conviction date, sentence type and length, fines and restitution ordered, probation or parole conditions, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements: Outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/DWI entries, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Records:
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records
- Confidential informant or witness protection information
Accuracy Note: Criminal records may contain errors arising from data entry, name confusion, or incomplete updates following case resolution. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the Arkansas State Police ACIC for state repository records.
How Long Does St. Francis County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: Arkansas record retention schedules are established by the Arkansas History Commission and the Arkansas State Library. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to follow state-mandated retention schedules.
Retention by Record Type:
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently by circuit courts; retention at the sheriff level varies
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement petition
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently by courts (disposition noted in record)
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 under Arkansas Code § 9-27-309; destruction timelines vary by case type
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences:
- County Circuit Court: Permanent retention for all criminal case files per Arkansas court rules
- Sheriff/Jail: Booking and arrest records retained for a minimum of five years; operational records may vary
- Arkansas State Police ACIC: Permanent retention for all conviction records; ACIC maintains the authoritative statewide repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained indefinitely in most cases. Physical paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved per retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction removes the physical record entirely. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Arkansas law for eligible offenses, results in the record being removed from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Arkansas expungement procedures are governed by Arkansas Code § 16-90-1401 et seq. Expungement forms and eligibility information are available through the Arkansas Judiciary.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and exist independently of county or state records.
Practical Implications: Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under Arkansas law. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most adverse information to seven years, though convictions may be reported without time limitation. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all criminal history regardless of age. Even where a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.