Search Crawford County DUI Records

Crawford County DUI records are public documents you can get from the sheriff's office, the circuit clerk, or the Arkansas CourtConnect system. The county sits on the Oklahoma border in western Arkansas, with Van Buren as the county seat. DWI and DUI cases filed in Crawford County go through the circuit court in Van Buren. This guide explains where to look and how to request records from each source.

How to Find DUI Records in Crawford County

Crawford County is in the 12th Judicial District of Arkansas. DUI and DWI cases from the county are handled by the circuit court in Van Buren. There are three main sources for DUI records in Crawford County: the sheriff's office, the circuit clerk, and the state's online court system.

The fastest free option is the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. This statewide system covers Crawford County and lets you search by name or case number. You can see charges, case status, hearing dates, and filing information without paying a fee. CourtConnect is available 24 hours a day except for scheduled maintenance windows. For cases older than January 2009, some details are redacted online per state court rules.

You can also go directly to the Crawford County Circuit Clerk for full case files and certified copies. The clerk maintains a complete paper record that goes beyond what CourtConnect shows. In-person visits are the most thorough way to review a case file.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office website provides access to inmate search, arrest information, and other public records for DUI-related cases in the county.

Crawford County Sheriff DWI Arrest Records

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is located at 4235 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR 72956. The main phone number is (479) 474-2261. For detention center questions, call (479) 474-1721. The fax number is (479) 471-3264.

The detention center holds up to 307 inmates. The sheriff's office has an online inmate search at crawfordcountysheriff.org/inmates/ that shows current bookings with mugshots. DUI and DWI arrest records are part of the public booking data. You can also view the most wanted list, sex offender registry information, and press releases about major arrests. The facility also runs a 24/7 Drug Take Back program at the detention center for safe prescription disposal.

Mail to inmates follows a strict policy put in place November 2017. The facility accepts letters only, no packages. If you need to submit a FOIA request for arrest records, write to the sheriff's office at the Alma Highway address. Include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and your contact information.

Note: The sheriff's online inmate search tool has at times been restricted from third-party access. If you get an error, call the office or visit in person to access booking records.

Crawford County Circuit Clerk and Court Records

The Crawford County Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder is Sharon Blount-Baker. The office is at 317 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72957 (mailing: P.O. Box 608). The phone number is (479) 474-1821 and fax is (479) 471-0622.

The circuit clerk handles records for all court divisions in Crawford County. Criminal Division records include DUI and DWI case files, judgment orders, sentencing documents, and probation records. Civil and Domestic Relations records are also maintained here. Juvenile court records are confidential by law and not available to the public.

Standard filing fees at the Crawford County Circuit Clerk include $165 to initiate a circuit court action and $50 to reopen a case. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for mailed or faxed copies and $0.50 per page for copies made in the office. If you want certified copies of court documents, there may be an additional certification fee. Call the clerk's office for current rates.

Court fines and fees in Crawford County can be paid online through Arkansas Court Payment. You will need the case number or citation number to pay online.

DUI and DWI Laws That Apply in Crawford County

Arkansas DWI law under ACA § 5-65-103 sets the legal limit at 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over. A first offense carries up to one year in jail, a fine of $150 to $1,000, and a six-month license suspension. Second offenses within 10 years mean seven days to one year in jail, fines of $400 to $3,000, and a 24-month suspension. A fourth DWI within 10 years is a felony with one to six years in prison.

Arkansas changed the lookback period from five years to ten years in 2021. Prior convictions within that window count toward escalating penalties. The state also bars plea bargaining to a lesser included offense for DWI, which means there is no negotiating the charge down to something like reckless driving.

For drivers under 21, ACA § 5-65-303 makes a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08% a DUI offense. First offense penalties include a $100 to $500 fine, a 90-day suspension, and mandatory alcohol education. The implied consent law under ACA § 5-65-202 means all Arkansas drivers are deemed to have consented to chemical testing. Test refusal triggers a 180-day suspension for a first refusal and longer suspensions for repeat refusals. Refusal can also be used as evidence in court.

Requesting Crawford County DUI Records Under FOIA

Arkansas FOIA under ACA § 25-19-101 gives anyone the right to request public records. Agencies must respond within three business days. You do not need to be an Arkansas resident to file a FOIA request.

For arrest records from the Crawford County Sheriff, submit a written request to the office at 4235 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR 72956. Describe the records you need, including the subject's name and the approximate date of arrest. The agency can charge duplication costs and staff time. If you need court records, contact the Circuit Clerk at 317 Main Street or call (479) 474-1821.

Records not subject to public access include active criminal investigations, sealed cases, juvenile records, expunged records, and ongoing law enforcement operations. If your request is denied, you can contact the Arkansas Attorney General's FOIA Hotline at (800) 482-8982 for guidance.

State Resources That Cover Crawford County

Several state tools cover DUI records tied to Crawford County. The Arkansas DFA Driver Services handles license suspensions after DUI and DWI arrests. The DFA acts separately from the courts, so you may have both a court case and a DFA administrative action from the same arrest.

If someone from Crawford County is serving time in a state prison, use the ADC Inmate Search to find their location and sentence details. This does not include people held in the county detention center. For county jail inmates, call the Crawford County Detention Center at (479) 474-1721.

Crash reports for accidents in Crawford County can be requested through crashreports.ark.org for $10 per report. The Arkansas State Police may also hold DUI arrest records for incidents on state highways in Crawford County. Criminal background checks with written consent are available through the state police background check system.

Qualifying Cities in Crawford County

Van Buren is the largest city in Crawford County and the only one meeting the population threshold for an individual city page. Alma is another sizable city in the county but does not qualify. Van Buren DUI cases are handled through the same Crawford County Circuit Court.

See the Van Buren DUI records page for city-specific information including the Van Buren Police Department and local resources.

Nearby Counties

Crawford County shares borders with several counties in western Arkansas. Each has its own court and law enforcement handling DUI cases.