Craighead County DWI and DUI Records

Craighead County DUI records are public documents available through the county sheriff, the circuit clerk, and the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. The county serves one of the largest populations in northeast Arkansas, with court cases filed in Jonesboro and Lake City under the state's criminal code. This page explains where those records come from, how to request them, and what you can find in each source.

Finding DUI Records in Craighead County

Craighead County is one of the few counties in Arkansas with two county seats. The western district is based in Jonesboro, which is also the largest city in the county. The eastern district is based in Lake City. Court cases and sheriff records may be tied to either district depending on where the arrest took place. Most DUI and DWI cases filed in Craighead County go through the circuit court in Jonesboro.

There are three main ways to find DUI records in Craighead County. First, you can search the Arkansas CourtConnect portal for free. CourtConnect covers Craighead County and lets you search by name, case number, or case type. Second, you can contact the Circuit Clerk office directly at 511 Union Street, Suite 107, Jonesboro. Third, you can request records from the Craighead County Sheriff's Office, which maintains arrest records and booking information for those taken into custody in the county.

The CourtConnect system is your fastest starting point. It is free to use and available 24 hours a day. Search for the person's name and filter results to Craighead County. You will see case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case status. For records older than January 1, 2009, some details may be redacted per state court rules.

The Arkansas CourtConnect portal covers Craighead County DUI and DWI criminal cases. Search by name to view case numbers, charges, and court dates for cases filed in Jonesboro or Lake City circuit courts.

Craighead County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Craighead County Sheriff's Office operates out of two locations. The main western district office is at 901 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401, phone (870) 933-4551. The eastern district office is at 107 Cobean Boulevard, Lake City, AR 72437, phone (870) 237-4511. For questions about people held in the detention center, call (870) 933-4556.

The detention center holds up to 346 inmates. Craighead County also has a separate juvenile facility with 62 beds. The sheriff's office publishes an online inmate roster at their website that shows current inmates and those released within the past 48 hours. You can search by name on the roster. Mugshots and arrest records are available through FOIA requests submitted to the Records Division, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Records available from the sheriff include booking information, arrest records, the most wanted list, active warrants, and sex offender registry data. If you want to post bond online, Craighead County accepts payments through the jail's kiosk system at craigheadjail.com. The kiosk takes bills in $5, $10, $20, and $100 denominations. Credit and debit card payments carry a 7% service fee.

Note: The sheriff's website at craigheadso.org may have limited uptime. If you cannot reach it, call the office directly or submit a written FOIA request by mail.

Circuit Court DUI Cases in Craighead County

DUI and DWI criminal cases in Craighead County are heard in the circuit court. The Circuit Clerk's office is located at 511 Union Street, Suite 107, Jonesboro, AR 72401. The phone number is (870) 933-4530. The clerk maintains records for all criminal divisions, civil cases, domestic relations cases, and probate. Juvenile court records are confidential by law.

Court records you can get from the circuit clerk include case files, dockets, court calendars, and judgment documents. These are public records under Arkansas law. You can request copies in person or submit a written request by mail. Copy fees apply. If you are looking for a specific DWI case by name, CourtConnect often gives you the case number first, which you can then bring to the clerk for a full file review.

Court fines and fees for DUI cases can be paid online through Arkansas Court Payment. This covers fines, costs, and surcharges tied to criminal convictions. You will need the case number or citation number to pay online.

Arkansas DUI and DWI Laws

Arkansas uses different terms depending on the driver's age. DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) applies to drivers 21 and over with a BAC of 0.08% or higher, under ACA § 5-65-103. A first DWI offense can result in up to one year in jail, a fine between $150 and $1,000, and a six-month license suspension. Second and third offenses carry longer jail terms, higher fines, and extended suspensions.

The lookback period for DWI offenses in Arkansas is 10 years from the date of the offense. This was changed from five years in 2021. Prior convictions within that window count toward repeat-offense penalties. A fourth offense or more within 10 years is a felony charge with a potential prison term of one to six years.

For drivers under 21, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) under ACA § 5-65-303 covers BAC between 0.02% and 0.08%. Penalties include fines, a 90-day suspension for a first offense, and mandatory alcohol education. Arkansas also has an implied consent law under ACA § 5-65-202. Any driver on an Arkansas road is considered to have given consent to a chemical test. Refusing a test triggers an automatic license suspension: 180 days for a first refusal, two years for a second, and three years for a third.

Note: Arkansas does not allow plea bargaining to a lesser included offense for DWI charges. If charged, the case proceeds to trial or a plea to the actual DWI count.

State Resources for Craighead County DUI Records

Several state-level resources can help you find DUI-related information tied to Craighead County. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration handles license suspension and reinstatement after a DUI or DWI arrest. The DFA operates independently from the courts, so a person can face both a criminal case and a DFA administrative action from the same arrest.

If you need to check whether someone from Craighead County is currently held in a state prison facility, the Arkansas Department of Correction Inmate Search covers state prison inmates. It does not show county jail inmates. For those, contact the Craighead County Detention Center directly.

Accident reports tied to DUI crashes can be accessed through the Arkansas crash report portal for $10 per report. The Arkansas State Police handles DUI arrests made by state troopers in Craighead County, and those records are shared with the Arkansas Crime Information Center. For criminal background checks with consent, use the state system at cbc.ark.org.

How to Request Records Under Arkansas FOIA

Arkansas FOIA under ACA § 25-19-101 gives the public the right to request government records. Agencies must respond within three business days. There is no residency requirement. Anyone can file a request.

To request DUI arrest records from the Craighead County Sheriff, write a letter or email describing what you need. Include the full name of the person, the approximate date of arrest if known, and your contact information. Send it to the Records Division at 901 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401. The agency may charge duplication costs and staff time at the prevailing wage rate. Fee waivers are sometimes granted for journalists and nonprofits.

Records that are not available under FOIA include active criminal investigations, sealed cases, expunged records, juvenile records, and grand jury materials. If you believe a request was wrongly denied, contact the Arkansas Attorney General's FOIA Hotline at (800) 482-8982.

Cities in Craighead County

Jonesboro is the largest city in Craighead County with a population over 78,000. It qualifies as a major city under state thresholds. Lake City, Harrisburg, and Brookland are other cities in the county but do not meet the population threshold for individual city pages.

Jonesboro has its own police department handling DUI arrests within city limits. City DUI cases still go through the Craighead County Circuit Court. You can use the Jonesboro FOIA portal to request records from the city police department separately from sheriff records.

Nearby Counties

Craighead County borders several northeast Arkansas counties. Each has its own circuit court and sheriff's office handling DUI cases.