Pulaski County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pulaski County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Pulaski County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as PulaskiCountyRecords.us. Criminal records searches in Pulaski County may return data related to arrests, charges, court dispositions, sentencing, and incarceration history, subject to applicable state and federal restrictions. The information available through public channels may include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor charges
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Active warrants and protective orders
- Sex offender registration status
- Jail and inmate records
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Pulaski County Circuit Court maintains case files for criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk
401 W. Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 340-8500
Pulaski County Circuit Court
Public access terminals are available inside the clerk's office for self-service case lookups at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. The public may request records by submitting a written request to the Records Division. Fees for copies are assessed per page in accordance with Arkansas law.
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office
3001 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501) 340-6900
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Arkansas Judiciary provides a statewide online case search portal through the Arkansas Court Connect system. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case status, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases filed in Arkansas circuit and district courts. Note that not all historical records are digitized, and sealed or expunged cases do not appear.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Arkansas State Police maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit requests for background checks through the Arkansas State Police Criminal History Records portal. Fingerprint-based checks are required for employment-related background checks. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, name-based checks are available for a nominal fee, while fingerprint-based checks require submission through an approved LiveScan provider.
Arkansas State Police Headquarters
1 State Police Plaza Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8000
Arkansas State Police
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records by mail to the Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk or the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the type of record sought. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within three business days.
What Is Pulaski County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of an individual's documented interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences. In Arkansas, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies as a case moves through the justice system — from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification under Arkansas law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories appear in criminal history records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are sealed by operation of law and are not accessible to the general public under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained in real time by the Sheriff's Office and court system.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Pulaski County include:
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Pulaski County Circuit Court — court case files, charges, pleas, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Arkansas State Police — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments (Little Rock Police Department, North Little Rock Police Department) — incident and arrest reports
Records may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, probation and parole status, and any subsequent modifications to a sentence. The Pulaski County Circuit Court serves as the primary repository for court-based criminal case records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Pulaski County
Criminal records in Pulaski County are public records under Arkansas law. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105 establishes that public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas. As stated in the statute, "public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas during the regular business hours of the custodian of the records."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing orders, and booking information. The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to protective orders issued by a court
- Pardoned offenses where records have been formally sealed
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Arkansas FOIA. The Arkansas Attorney General's office provides guidance on the application of the state's open records law, including exemptions applicable to law enforcement records.
How To Find Criminal Records in Pulaski County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Pulaski County criminal records include:
- Arkansas Court Connect — Statewide court case search portal maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary. Users may search by name or case number for circuit and district court records, including criminal cases filed in Pulaski County. No registration is required for public searches.
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Current jail roster and booking information for individuals held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
- Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk — In-person access to case files; some records accessible through the statewide portal.
State-Level Resources
- Arkansas State Police Criminal History Records — Statewide background check system for name-based and fingerprint-based searches.
- Arkansas Sex Offender Registry — Maintained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center; searchable by name, county, or ZIP code.
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 records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems.
- Understand that sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results.
- Older records predating digital systems may require in-person requests.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of 24 to 72 hours following a court event or booking. Records predating the digitization of court files may not be available online and require direct requests to the clerk's office. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Pulaski County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Arkansas law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, custodians of records must permit inspection during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply. Free in-person inspection is available at:
- Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk, 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office Records Division, 3001 W. Roosevelt Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204
2. Free Online Databases
- Arkansas Court Connect — Free public case search, no registration required
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office — Free inmate and booking search
- Arkansas Sex Offender Registry — Free public search
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Sheriff's Office and may be inspected at no charge during business hours.
What Costs Money
| Item | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies by document) |
| Official state background check (name-based) | $10.00 (Arkansas State Police) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $25.00+ (varies by provider) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
Fee schedules are established under Arkansas law and are subject to change. The Arkansas State Police fee schedule is published on the Arkansas State Police Criminal History Records page.
What's Included in a Pulaski County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Jail facility assignment
Court Case Information
- Case number and jurisdiction
- Court filing date
- Charges and applicable statutes (felony or misdemeanor classification)
- Plea entered
- Attorney of record
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date
- Sentence type and length
- Fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision
- Probation or parole status
- Appeals filed and outcomes
Additional Record Elements
- Active warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable via the Arkansas Crime Information Center)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records (where sealed by court order)
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may petition the originating court or the Arkansas Crime Information Center for correction. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Pulaski County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Arkansas record retention schedules govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county and state agencies. The Arkansas History Commission and the Arkansas State Library publish retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; eligible for expungement |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency-Specific Retention
- Pulaski County Circuit Court: Court records are retained permanently in accordance with Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19 and applicable retention schedules.
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office: Jail and arrest records are retained for a minimum period established by the Arkansas Records Retention Schedule for law enforcement agencies.
- Arkansas State Police: Conviction records are maintained permanently in the state criminal history repository. The Arkansas State Police Criminal History Records portal reflects the current state of an individual's record.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with state retention requirements.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it; the record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies.
- Expungement under Arkansas law results in the removal of a record from public access. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1401 et seq., eligible individuals may petition the court for expungement of qualifying offenses. Upon expungement, the record is sealed from public view, though it may remain accessible to law enforcement for certain purposes.
Old Records Access
Records predating digital systems may be held in physical archives at the Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk's office or the Arkansas State Archives. Special requests may be required to access pre-digital records.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records are not subject to Arkansas FOIA and are accessible only to authorized agencies.
Practical Implications
Permanent felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without time limitation. Professional licensing boards in Arkansas may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to Arkansas law.