Criminal records in Washington County, Arkansas, are available through several channels. WashingtonARCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through the Arkansas state court portal, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the Circuit Clerk's Office. Each of these sources covers different types of data—from current cases and warrants to certified copies of court decisions.
How to Search Criminal Records in Washington
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Washington County.
Online Search
- WashingtonARCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about county criminal cases. Enter the full name or case number.
- Search ARCourts — the official portal of the Arkansas court system. Supports search by party name, case number, and court type. The portal also provides access to documents in some public cases.
- Washington County Sheriff's Office offers several online tools:
- Detainee Intake Roster — a list of individuals brought to the detention center in the last three days.
- Detainee Alpha Roster — an alphabetical list of all individuals in custody, with bail information.
- Active Warrants List — a list of individuals with arrest warrants issued.
- Arkansas Department of Corrections Inmate Search — for individuals serving sentences at the state level.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Clerk's Office in Fayetteville provides access to criminal records through public terminals. Bring identification with you. The clerk can help find a case if you know at least the defendant's name.
Written Request
Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk's Office specifying the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. For an official state-level criminal history check, the request is submitted to the Arkansas State Police — Identification Bureau.
What you need to start the search:
- Full first and last name (name in Latin script — first name, last name)
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Washington Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in Arkansas have a standard format that allows identification of the court, year, and type of case. The typical structure looks like this:
XX-CR-YYYY-NNNNN
- XX — two-digit county code (for Washington County — 72)
- CR — case type designation (CR = criminal)
- YYYY — year the case was filed
- NNNNN — sequential case number within the year
For example, the number 72CR-2024-00345 indicates a criminal case filed in 2024 in Washington County with a sequential number of 345. For District Court cases, the letter code may differ. If you only have part of the number, try searching by name — the system often displays all related cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Washington
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Arkansas Code Annotated — for example, § 5-64-419 (drug-related offenses) |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime, classes A–D and Y), Misdemeanor (minor offense, classes A–C), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the charges during the case — the new wording replaces the previous one in the system |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is under consideration, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, agreement)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is archived
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty/not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge decides if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (only for felony)
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting of the parties to discuss an agreement or prepare for trial
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — a session to impose punishment after a guilty plea
- Review hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty — by the court or by their own admission |
| Not guilty | The court or jury acquitted the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed — the prosecutor dropped the charges or the court found insufficient evidence |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor decided not to pursue prosecution |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial on the merits |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Washington
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
Where to Apply
Washington County Circuit Clerk issues certified copies of decisions, indictments, and other court documents in criminal cases.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — visit the office with identification (driver's license or passport). Provide the case number or the defendant's full name.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of your ID. Include a check or money order for the payment amount.
For a complete state-level criminal history report, contact the Arkansas State Police — Identification Bureau. This request usually requires fingerprint submission.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Washington
Fees are determined by Arkansas state law and county internal regulations. Below are approximate rates — confirm current amounts directly with the office.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | According to Ark. Code § 21-6-306 |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check (state) | $25.00 | Through Arkansas State Police; may vary |
| Fingerprint check (FBI) | $25.00–$40.00 | Depends on the purpose of the request |
Processing Times
- In-person visit — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is in the electronic system.
- Mail request — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Check through State Police — from 5 to 30 business days. Fingerprint requests take longer.
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or (for in-person visits) cash. Confirm with the office if they accept credit cards — some Arkansas offices have started supporting electronic payments.