Howard County DWI and DUI Records
Howard County DUI records are public documents filed through the county sheriff, circuit clerk, and state court system in Nashville, Arkansas. This page explains how to find arrest records, court case filings, and license suspension information tied to DUI and DWI charges in Howard County.
Howard County DUI Records
Howard County Sheriff's Office
The Howard County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. Sheriff Bryan McJunkins oversees patrol operations and runs the county detention center. DUI and DWI arrests made by sheriff deputies are logged and processed through the detention center before being forwarded to the circuit court.
The sheriff's office is located at 101 Isaac Perkins Blvd., Nashville, AR 71852, directly across from the historic courthouse. The office can be reached at (870) 845-2626. For email inquiries, contact bmcjunkins@howardcountysheriffar.com. The detention facility was built in 1993 and has a capacity of 41 prisoners. It handles pre-trial holding for DUI arrests as well as short-term sentences.
Howard County covers roughly 600 square miles. It borders Polk, Montgomery, Sevier, Pike, Little River, and Hempstead Counties. State troopers from the Arkansas State Police also make DUI arrests in the county, particularly on U.S. 278 and other major routes. Those arrests go into both the sheriff's booking log and the state trooper's own records at the Arkansas State Police.
The sheriff's website is available at howardcountysheriffar.com. Arrest information may be posted there. You can also call the jail line directly for booking status questions. Arrest records from the sheriff can be requested under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (ACA § 25-19-101). The agency must respond within three business days. There is no residency requirement to file a request.
The Howard County courthouse is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was built in 1938-39 and still houses the circuit clerk's office where court records are filed.
Howard County Sheriff's Office online presence at howardcountysheriffar.com. The page lists contact info and department details for Howard County law enforcement.
Howard County Circuit Court Records
DUI and DWI criminal cases in Howard County are filed in the circuit court in Nashville. The circuit clerk is Angie Lewis, whose office is at 421 N. Main St., Nashville, AR 71852. The phone number is (870) 845-7506. The clerk maintains all criminal case filings, including DWI charges, plea records, sentencing orders, and probation terms.
You can search Howard County court cases online through the Arkansas CourtConnect portal. The system is free and open around the clock. Search by name, case number, or case type. DWI and DUI cases show up under criminal case filings. Cases from before January 1, 2009, may have some details hidden under Administrative Order 19, but the basic case information is still visible.
Court records you can find include the original charge, case number, hearing dates, disposition, fines assessed, and any probation or license suspension terms. If a defendant was ordered into an alcohol education program, that may also appear in the case file. These records stay public unless a judge orders them sealed or the case is expunged.
To get physical copies of court documents, contact the circuit clerk's office during business hours. Copy fees are set by county policy. Most offices charge around $0.25 to $0.50 per page, plus a certification fee if a certified copy is needed. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can tell you what records are on file.
The Arkansas CourtConnect portal provides free public access to Howard County court cases including DWI and DUI filings. Search by party name or case number.
DWI Laws That Apply in Howard County
Arkansas uses the term DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) for adults over 21 who are caught with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more. The law for this is ACA § 5-65-103. A first DWI offense can mean up to one year in jail, a fine between $150 and $1,000, and a six-month license suspension. These are criminal charges and create a permanent court record.
For drivers under 21, Arkansas applies a stricter standard under ACA § 5-65-303. Any BAC between 0.02% and 0.08% is enough for a DUI charge. The penalties are lower but still result in a court record and a license suspension. Arkansas does not allow plea bargaining to a lesser offense for DWI charges. You either resolve the charge as a DWI or take it to trial.
The lookback period for DWI in Arkansas is 10 years. That means a second offense within 10 years of a first offense carries much steeper penalties: 7 days to one year in jail, fines up to $3,000, and a 24-month suspension. A third offense within 10 years brings 90 days to one year in jail and a 30-month suspension. A fourth or later offense within 10 years is a felony, with one to six years in prison.
Arkansas implied consent law (ACA § 5-65-202) means that driving on Arkansas roads is treated as automatic consent to a breath, blood, or urine test. Refusing the test triggers a separate license suspension. First refusal is 180 days. Second refusal within five years is two years. Third and fourth refusals can lead to lifetime revocation. The refusal itself can be used against the driver in court.
Driver License Records and Suspensions
A DWI arrest in Howard County triggers two separate processes. The criminal case goes through the circuit court. The license suspension is handled by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration's Driver Control office. These are separate proceedings and have different timelines.
The DFA Driver Control office can be reached at (501) 682-1631 or by email at Drivercontrol@dfa.arkansas.gov. You can ask about the status of a license, reinstatement requirements, and whether an ignition interlock device is required. The DFA also maintains the DUI/DWI information page with details on what happens to a license after an arrest or conviction.
Reinstatement after a DWI suspension typically requires completion of an alcohol education program, payment of a reinstatement fee, and sometimes installation of an ignition interlock device. The IID requirement depends on the number of prior offenses. The DFA keeps a list of approved IID providers in Arkansas. Drivers must use an approved provider to meet the court or DFA requirement.
Crash reports from accidents that led to a DUI arrest are available through the Arkansas crash reports portal for $10 per report. The report includes the trooper's or officer's account of the crash, which may include observations about impairment.
How to Request Records in Howard County
To get DUI arrest records from the Howard County Sheriff's Office, submit a written FOIA request to the sheriff's office at 101 Isaac Perkins Blvd., Nashville, AR 71852. You can also email the request to bmcjunkins@howardcountysheriffar.com. Identify the person by full name and approximate date of arrest. The agency has three business days to respond. They can charge for copies at actual duplication cost.
For court case records, contact the circuit clerk at 421 N. Main St. or call (870) 845-7506. You can also use CourtConnect to look up case numbers and dates online before visiting in person. Court records that are already in CourtConnect are free to view online. Physical copies cost extra.
Criminal background checks that include DWI convictions can be ordered through the Arkansas State Police criminal background check system. A name-based check costs $22. You need written consent from the subject of the record unless it is your own record. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) also maintains statewide criminal history data. Their office is at One State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, and can be reached at (501) 618-8000.
For state prison records tied to felony DWI convictions, the Arkansas Department of Correction inmate search is free online. It covers inmates in state facilities but not county jail inmates. For county jail information, contact the Howard County Sheriff's Office directly.
Additional Resources
Several other resources can help with Howard County DWI matters. The Arkansas Judiciary website at arcourts.gov has contact information for all circuit courts in the state. If you need to pay court fines online, the Arkansas Court Payment portal handles payments for many counties. The Administrative Office of the Courts can be reached at (501) 410-1900 for help with CourtConnect access.
MADD Arkansas is at 10515 W Markham St, Little Rock, and can be reached at (501) 376-6100. They offer victim services and court monitoring for DUI cases. Legal aid organizations may assist low-income defendants with DWI cases. The Arkansas Bar Association can provide referrals to local attorneys who handle DUI defense in Howard County.
Nearby Counties
Howard County borders several counties in southwest Arkansas. DUI arrests near county lines may be processed in adjacent counties depending on jurisdiction.