Warrant records are public documents in Newton County, Arkansas, pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. This comprehensive legislation establishes the presumption that records maintained by government entities, including those pertaining to law enforcement activities such as warrants, shall be accessible to citizens upon request.
The Arkansas FOIA specifically provides that all records maintained by public agencies are presumed to be open to public inspection and copying. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105, public records shall be available to any person for inspection and copying during regular business hours. This statutory framework encompasses warrant records generated and maintained by the Newton County Sheriff's Office and the Newton County Circuit Court.
While warrant records are generally public, certain exceptions may apply in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(b), particularly for ongoing investigations or where disclosure might impede law enforcement proceedings. Additionally, information related to juvenile offenders may be subject to confidentiality provisions under the Arkansas Juvenile Code.
Warrant records maintained by Newton County authorities typically contain the following standardized information as required by Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 7.2:
• Full legal name and any known aliases of the subject • Date of birth and/or approximate age of the subject • Physical description including height, weight, race, gender, and identifying marks • Last known address or location information • Case number and court of issuance • Date of warrant issuance • Nature and classification of the alleged offense(s) • Statutory citation of violated law(s) • Bond amount, if applicable • Name and title of the issuing judicial officer • Signature of the issuing authority • Special instructions regarding service or execution
The level of detail contained in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Members of the public may conduct free warrant searches in Newton County through several officially sanctioned channels:
• In-person requests may be submitted at the Newton County Circuit Clerk's Office located at 100 Court Street, Jasper, AR 72641. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
• The Newton County Sheriff's Office maintains public access terminals for warrant inquiries at their headquarters located at 106 Court Street, Jasper, AR 72641. Individuals seeking information may visit during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Telephone inquiries regarding warrant status may be directed to the Newton County Sheriff's Office at (870) 446-5124. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information including full name and date of birth.
Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105(a)(2)(A), agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction but not for the time spent searching for records. Individuals conducting in-person searches at public terminals incur no search fees.
The Newton County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Newton County are classified according to their purpose and legal authority:
• Arrest Warrants: Issued pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 7.1 when a judicial officer determines probable cause exists that an individual has committed an offense.
• Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing or violates court orders.
• Search Warrants: Authorized under Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 13.1, permitting law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence of criminal activity.
• Civil Warrants: Including orders for eviction, property seizure, or other non-criminal matters requiring sheriff intervention.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrants Division responsible for processing and executing all warrants issued within Newton County. This division coordinates with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend individuals with active warrants across jurisdictional boundaries.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Newton County may utilize the following official channels:
• Direct verification through the Newton County Circuit Clerk's Office at 100 Court Street, Jasper, AR 72641. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (870) 446-5125 during regular business hours.
• The Newton County Sheriff's Office provides warrant verification services at their headquarters located at 106 Court Street, Jasper, AR 72641. Individuals may contact the Warrants Division at (870) 446-5124.
• Legal representation through a licensed attorney who can access court records on behalf of clients. The Arkansas Bar Association maintains a referral service for individuals seeking legal counsel.
• The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) maintains a statewide database of warrant information accessible to law enforcement agencies. While not directly available to the public, this system ensures warrant information is shared across jurisdictions.
Individuals with concerns about possible warrants are advised that appearing in person at law enforcement facilities may result in immediate arrest if active warrants exist. Arkansas law does not require prior notification before warrant execution.
Newton County provides multiple avenues for verifying outstanding warrant status:
• The Newton County Sheriff's Office maintains a public-facing "Most Wanted" section on their official website, displaying individuals with high-priority warrants.
• In-person inquiries may be conducted at the Newton County Circuit Clerk's Office, located at 100 Court Street, Jasper, AR 72641. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Third-party background check services may include warrant information in their reports, though such services typically charge fees and may not contain real-time data.
• Child support warrants may be verified through the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement, which maintains records of non-payment enforcement actions.
Pursuant to Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure, warrants remain active until executed, recalled by the issuing court, or the subject is deceased. There is no expiration date for most warrants issued in Newton County.