Search Garland County DUI Records

Garland County DUI records are public documents available through the county sheriff, the circuit clerk, and the Arkansas CourtConnect system. Hot Springs is the county seat and the largest city in the county, making Garland County one of the more active DUI jurisdictions in Arkansas. This page covers how to find DUI and DWI records in Garland County, what agencies hold them, and how to request them.

Finding DUI Records in Garland County

Garland County is in west-central Arkansas. Hot Springs is the county seat and the main population center. The county draws significant visitor traffic due to its national park and resort amenities, which contributes to DUI activity on local roads. DUI arrests in the county come from the Garland County Sheriff's Office, the Hot Springs Police Department, and Arkansas State Police patrols on the highways running through the area.

The best free starting point is the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. Garland County participates fully in the statewide system. Search by name or case number to find DUI and DWI case information including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The portal is available around the clock at no cost. Records from before January 2009 may have some details redacted per state court rules.

The Garland County government website at garlandcounty.org links to county departments including the sheriff and circuit clerk. The site also provides online payment options, property records, and GIS mapping tools. Use it to find direct contact information for DUI records requests.

The Garland County government website provides access to county departments including the sheriff and circuit clerk offices that hold DUI records for the Hot Springs area.

Garland County Sheriff DWI Arrest Records

The Garland County Sheriff's Office is at 525 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. The main phone number is (501) 622-3660. The sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated Garland County and operates the county detention facility. DUI and DWI arrest records from the sheriff are public under Arkansas FOIA.

Records you can request from the Garland County Sheriff include arrest records, inmate information, and criminal records for DUI cases handled by the office. To submit a request, call the office at (501) 622-3660, visit in person at the Ouachita Avenue address, or submit a written FOIA request by mail. Include the subject's full name and approximate arrest date. The office must respond within three business days under Arkansas FOIA.

For people arrested by the Hot Springs Police Department for DUI, those records are held separately by the city police, not the county sheriff. The Hot Springs Police Department can be contacted through the City of Hot Springs. DUI arrests by Arkansas State Police troopers in Garland County are documented by the state police and shared with the Arkansas Crime Information Center.

Note: For current inmates in the Garland County jail, contact the detention center at the Ouachita Avenue address. For state prison inmates, use the ADC Inmate Search at apps.ark.org.

Circuit Court DUI Cases in Garland County

DUI and DWI criminal cases in Garland County are processed by the circuit court in Hot Springs. The circuit clerk holds all case files, judgment records, and sentencing documents. These are public records. You can review them in person at the courthouse or request copies by mail. Copy fees apply.

CourtConnect is the best starting point. Search by name to find the case number, then bring that number to the circuit clerk for a full file review. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Call the clerk's office for current fees. Court fines from DUI convictions in Garland County can be paid through Arkansas Court Payment online.

The Arkansas CourtConnect portal provides free access to Garland County DUI and DWI criminal case information. Search by name to view cases filed in Hot Springs circuit court.

Arkansas DWI and DUI Laws

Arkansas DWI under ACA § 5-65-103 applies to drivers 21 and over with a BAC at or above 0.08%. A first conviction means 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 a decade all count toward escalating penalties. A fourth offense is a felony with one to six years in prison.

The lookback period was extended from five to ten years by a 2021 state law change. Arkansas also prohibits plea bargaining a DWI charge to a lesser offense. There is no negotiating down to reckless driving or a similar charge.

For underage drivers, ACA § 5-65-303 covers BAC between 0.02% and 0.08% as a DUI offense. First offense penalties include a fine, a 90-day suspension, community service, and alcohol education. Under the implied consent law at ACA § 5-65-202, any Arkansas driver has implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing. Refusing causes an automatic 180-day suspension on the first refusal. A second refusal within five years means a two-year suspension, and a third means three years.

FOIA Requests in Garland County

Arkansas FOIA under ACA § 25-19-101 gives anyone the right to public records. Agencies must respond within three business days. No residency is required. To request DUI arrest records from the Garland County Sheriff, write to 525 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, or call (501) 622-3660. For court records, contact the Garland County Circuit Clerk in Hot Springs.

Fees are limited to copying costs and prevailing wage for staff time. Journalists and nonprofits may qualify for a fee waiver. Records exempt from FOIA include active investigations, sealed cases, juvenile records, and grand jury materials. If a request is wrongly denied, contact the Arkansas Attorney General's FOIA Hotline at (800) 482-8982.

State Resources for Garland County

The Arkansas DFA Driver Services handles license suspensions and reinstatements for DUI arrests in Garland County. The DFA process runs separately from the criminal court case. For state prison inmates from the county, use the ADC Inmate Search. Crash reports from DUI accidents in the county are available through crashreports.ark.org for $10 each.

The Arkansas State Police covers state highway DUI arrests in Garland County. Criminal background checks with written consent are processed through cbc.ark.org. For victim notification tied to criminal cases, use the VINE notification system.

Cities in Garland County

Hot Springs is the largest city in Garland County and qualifies for its own city page. Other communities in the county including Hot Springs Village and Fountain Lake do not meet the population threshold for individual pages. See the Hot Springs DUI records page for city-specific resources including the Hot Springs Police Department and local legal aid.

Nearby Counties

Garland County is in west-central Arkansas. Adjacent counties each have their own circuit courts and sheriff offices for DUI cases.