Howard County, Arkansas Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Howard County, Arkansas?
Warrants are public records in Howard County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or otherwise in the possession of public agencies are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Arkansas FOIA promotes governmental transparency by ensuring citizens have access to various types of records, including warrants, thereby facilitating accountability in governmental operations.
Howard County maintains warrant records as public documents to uphold the principles of open government and public oversight. Individuals may access information regarding active warrants for personal safety, legal preparation, or verification purposes. The Howard County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court Clerk serve as the primary custodians of warrant records within the jurisdiction, maintaining these documents in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily restricted from public access during active investigations pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b)(6), which exempts undisclosed law enforcement records where release could compromise ongoing proceedings. However, once a warrant has been executed or is no longer active in an investigation, the record typically becomes fully accessible to the public.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Howard County?
Warrant records maintained by Howard County authorities typically contain the following information:
- Subject identification: Full legal name, date of birth, and last known address of the individual named in the warrant
- Warrant classification: Designation of warrant type (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant, etc.)
- Case information: Associated case number and court of issuance
- Issuance details: Date of issuance and name of the judicial officer who signed the warrant
- Offense information: Description of the alleged criminal violation or court order violation
- Bond information: Amount of bail or bond, if applicable
- Special conditions: Any specific instructions to law enforcement regarding execution
- Status information: Whether the warrant is active, recalled, or satisfied
Pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 7.2, warrants must be supported by an affidavit establishing probable cause. These supporting documents may also be included in the warrant record, though access to affidavits may be restricted in certain circumstances to protect ongoing investigations.
How to Check For Warrants in Howard County For Free
Howard County residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by county authorities:
- In-person inquiries may be conducted at the Howard County Sheriff's Office located at 410 N. Washington Street, Nashville, AR 71852. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- The Howard County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains warrant records and provides public access terminals at 421 N. Main Street, Nashville, AR 71852. Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Telephone verification is available by contacting the Howard County Sheriff's Office at (870) 845-2626 during regular business hours. Requestors must provide identifying information including full name and date of birth.
- Online searches may be conducted through the Arkansas Judiciary's case information portal, which provides access to court records including warrant information for Howard County cases.
When conducting warrant searches, members of the public should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the subject of the inquiry. Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-906, certain records may be sealed or expunged and would not appear in public searches.
Howard County Sheriff Warrants
The Howard County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Howard County are classified according to their purpose and the authority under which they are issued:
- Arrest warrants authorize the apprehension of individuals charged with criminal offenses pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 7.1
- Bench warrants are issued directly by a judge, typically for failure to appear in court or contempt of court
- Search warrants permit law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence as outlined in Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 13.1
- Civil warrants relate to non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement or civil judgments
The Howard County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division responsible for processing and executing these legal documents. Deputies assigned to this division coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend individuals with active warrants.
Howard County Sheriff's Office
410 N. Washington Street
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-2626
Howard County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office operates in accordance with Arkansas Code § 14-15-501, which establishes the sheriff as the executive officer of the circuit court with responsibility for executing all process directed to the sheriff by legal authority.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Howard County in 2025
Howard County residents seeking to determine warrant status in 2025 have multiple verification methods available through county agencies:
- The Howard County Sheriff's Office maintains the most current warrant database and provides status verification services. Individuals may visit the Sheriff's Office in person at 410 N. Washington Street, Nashville, AR 71852, or call (870) 845-2626 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
- The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides access to court records, including warrant information, at 421 N. Main Street, Nashville, AR 71852. Public access terminals are available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
- Electronic verification is available through the Arkansas Judiciary's online case information system, which provides 24-hour access to court records including warrant status.
- The Howard County District Court maintains records of local warrants issued for misdemeanor offenses and ordinance violations.
Individuals concerned about possible warrants should be prepared to provide proper identification when making inquiries. For third-party inquiries, certain identifying information about the subject may be required pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-105, which governs access to criminal history information.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Howard County
Howard County maintains several official channels through which members of the public may verify outstanding warrant status:
- The Howard County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division processes inquiries regarding active warrants. Individuals may contact the division at (870) 845-2626 or visit in person at 410 N. Washington Street, Nashville, AR 71852. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- The Howard County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records and maintains information on warrants issued by circuit courts. The Clerk's Office is located at 421 N. Main Street, Nashville, AR 71852, and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Electronic verification is available through the Arkansas Judiciary's case information system, which provides searchable access to court records including warrant information.
- The Arkansas Department of Corrections Inmate Search provides information about individuals who have been taken into custody on warrants and are currently incarcerated.
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 16-90-104, certain warrant information may be restricted if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger law enforcement personnel. In such cases, limited information may be provided upon inquiry.
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