Cleveland County DUI and DWI Records

Cleveland County DUI records are held by the county jail in Rison, the circuit court clerk, and the Arkansas state court system. Cleveland County is a small rural county in south-central Arkansas, and DUI and DWI cases here flow through the local sheriff, the circuit court in Rison, and the CourtConnect online search portal. This guide covers how to find and request DUI records in Cleveland County.

Cleveland County Sheriff and Jail

The Cleveland County Jail is at 20 Magnolia Street, Rison, AR 71665. The phone number is (870) 325-6222. The jail holds pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders including those arrested for DUI. For inmate inquiries, call the jail during business hours. A limited online inmate search may be available, but for the most current information, calling is the most reliable option.

Arrest records for DUI and DWI in Cleveland County are public under ACA § 25-19-101. You can submit a written FOIA request to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office in Rison. Include the subject's full name and approximate arrest date. The sheriff must respond within three business days. Copy fees apply for printed records. If the request is denied, the agency must provide a written explanation.

DUI arrests made by the Arkansas State Police on state highways passing through Cleveland County are separate from county sheriff records. U.S. 79 and Arkansas State Highway 8 pass through the county, and troopers regularly patrol these roads. State trooper arrest records must be requested directly from the State Police.

The Arkansas Association of Counties page for Cleveland County provides contact information for county offices including the sheriff's office and clerk in Rison. Use it as a reference for direct contact details when submitting records requests.

Circuit Court and CourtConnect

Cleveland County Circuit Court in Rison handles felony DWI cases and all appeals from district court. The circuit clerk maintains the official court record. The circuit court also handles civil cases above $25,000, domestic relations, and probate. Misdemeanor DWI first and second offenses go through district court first. A fourth or subsequent DWI within 10 years (a Class D felony under ACA § 5-65-103) goes directly to circuit court.

Cleveland County has full participation in the Arkansas CourtConnect system. Search for DUI and DWI criminal cases at caseinfo.arcourts.gov for free. The portal shows case status, charges, and scheduled dates. Search by party name or case number to find specific cases.

The CourtConnect portal provides free public access to Cleveland County court records. DUI and DWI criminal cases from both district and circuit courts are searchable through this system 24 hours a day.

For physical case documents, contact the Cleveland County Circuit Clerk in Rison. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per additional page. Pay court fines through the Arkansas Court Payment portal.

Arkansas DWI Laws and Cleveland County Cases

The state DWI statute, ACA § 5-65-103, applies to every county in Arkansas including Cleveland. A first offense DWI with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a Class A misdemeanor. Up to one year in jail, $150 to $1,000 fine, six-month license suspension. Arkansas does not allow plea bargaining from DWI to a lesser charge. The DWI stays on record.

Prior DWI convictions within the 10-year lookback window affect how a new case is charged. Second offense: 7 days to 1 year jail, $400 to $3,000 fine, 24-month suspension. Third: 90 days to 1 year jail, $900 to $5,000 fine, 30-month suspension. Fourth or subsequent in 10 years: Class D felony, 1 to 6 years prison, up to $5,000 fine, 4-year revocation of driving privileges. The lookback period was extended from 5 years to 10 years in 2021.

The implied consent law under ACA § 5-65-202 applies statewide. Refusing a chemical test triggers administrative license suspension. First refusal: 180 days. Second within five years: 2 years. Third: 3 years. Fourth within five years: lifetime revocation. Refusal can also be presented as evidence of guilt at trial. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration manages these administrative suspensions through Driver Control at (501) 682-1631.

Underage DUI under ACA § 5-65-303 applies to drivers under 21 with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08%. First offense: $100 to $500 fine, 90-day suspension, mandatory alcohol education. No probation or plea bargaining. Second and third offenses bring escalating fines, longer suspensions, and required community service.

Background Checks and Statewide Resources

For a complete criminal history report including DUI convictions from Cleveland County, the Arkansas State Police criminal background check system is the right tool. Name-based checks cost $22.00. Mail requests cost $25.00 and go to: Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209. Written consent from the subject is required for all background check requests.

The Arkansas Department of Correction inmate search is free and useful for finding state prison inmates from felony DWI convictions in Cleveland County. Search by name, county of commitment, or offense. This system does not include county jail inmates. Call the Cleveland County Jail at (870) 325-6222 for county jail information.

Crash reports for DUI-related accidents in Cleveland County can be ordered at crashreports.ark.org for $10 per report. The VINE notification system at vinelink.com is free for victims who want custody status alerts in DUI cases.

Nearby Counties

Cleveland County is in south-central Arkansas. Neighboring counties also have DUI records searchable through the state court system and local offices.