Ashley County DWI and DUI Records

Ashley County DUI records are available through the county sheriff's office, the circuit court clerk in Hamburg, and the state's CourtConnect online case search. Whether you are looking up a DWI arrest, searching for a court case, or submitting a formal records request, this guide covers where to go and what to expect for DUI-related public records in Ashley County, Arkansas.

Ashley County Sheriff and Detention Center

The Ashley County Detention Center sits at 842 Ashley Road 12 W, Hamburg, AR 71646. The phone number is (870) 853-2040. The facility holds pre-trial detainees and people serving sentences for misdemeanor offenses. DUI and DWI arrestees are booked here when arrested by county law enforcement. If you need to find out if someone is currently held at the detention center, call the number above during business hours.

Arrest records are public under Arkansas Code § 25-19-101, the state Freedom of Information Act. You can request records in writing, by mail, or in person at the sheriff's office. The agency must respond within three business days. Fees for copies range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Be specific in your request: include the full name of the person, the approximate date of arrest, and what type of records you need.

The Ashley County Sheriff's website at ashleycountysheriff.com is the starting point for local law enforcement inquiries, including how to contact the office and submit a records request for DUI arrest information.

Circuit Court and CourtConnect Case Search

The Ashley County Circuit Court handles felony DWI cases and appeals from district court. The circuit clerk's office in Hamburg maintains all court records. For a first or second DWI, the case will likely go through district court. A fourth DWI within 10 years is a felony and goes through circuit court under ACA § 5-65-103.

You can search Ashley County court cases for free through CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Ashley County has partial information available through the system. Search by defendant name or case number. The results show case status, charges, and scheduled dates. For older records or documents not visible online, contact the circuit clerk directly in Hamburg.

The Arkansas CourtConnect portal gives public access to court case data from Ashley County, including DUI and DWI criminal cases. The system is free and available 24/7, with brief maintenance windows overnight on weekdays.

Copy fees for court records are typically $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 for each additional page. The Arkansas Court Payment portal lets you pay fines and court costs online for DUI cases filed anywhere in the state, including Ashley County.

DWI and DUI Law in Ashley County

The same state laws apply in every Arkansas county. ACA § 5-65-103 defines DWI as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. A first offense is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail, a fine of $150 to $1,000, and a six-month license suspension. The 10-year lookback period means prior DWI convictions within the past decade count when determining how many offenses a person has.

Arkansas does not allow plea bargaining from a DWI charge to a lesser included offense. Whatever charge is filed stays as a DWI in the record. This is worth knowing when you search court records because you will not see DWI cases plea-bargained down to reckless driving the way some other states allow.

The implied consent law under ACA § 5-65-202 means that any driver who refuses a chemical test faces automatic license suspension. A first refusal brings a 180-day suspension. Second and third refusals within five years bring two and three years respectively. A fourth refusal within five years results in lifetime revocation. These administrative actions by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration are separate from criminal court penalties.

Underage DUI under ACA § 5-65-303 applies to drivers under 21 with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08%. A first offense brings a fine of $100 to $500 and a 90-day suspension. Penalties grow on repeat offenses. There is no probation or plea bargaining available for underage DUI cases in Arkansas.

Requesting DUI Records and Background Checks

For court records, go to CourtConnect first. It is free and lets you search by name. If you need physical copies, contact the Ashley County Circuit Clerk in Hamburg. For arrest records held by the sheriff, submit a FOIA request in writing. Include the subject's name and approximate arrest date.

For a complete criminal history that includes DUI convictions statewide, you can request a background check through the Arkansas State Police criminal background check system. A name-based check costs $22.00 for most requests. Mail-in requests to the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau at 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209 cost $25.00. These checks require the written consent of the subject.

If you are looking for someone who received a state prison sentence after a felony DWI conviction, the Arkansas Department of Correction inmate search is free and searchable by name, county of commitment, or offense category. This search does not show county jail inmates. Call the Ashley County Detention Center at (870) 853-2040 for county jail inquiries.

Crash reports from DUI-related accidents are available at crashreports.ark.org for $10 per report. These reports are filed by the investigating officer and may include blood alcohol test results and officer notes about the incident.

Nearby Counties

Ashley County sits in the southeastern corner of Arkansas. Adjacent counties also have DUI records accessible through the state court system and local sheriffs.