Arkansas Warrant Search: How to Find Warrant Information in Arkansas

Rule 7.1 of the Criminal Code of Arkansas states that an arrest warrant may be issued upon submitting an affidavit that includes collected evidence indicating the suspect's involvement in the specified criminal offense and, if available, witness statements.

A judge or presiding magistrate can approve or reject a law enforcement agency's warrant request. They only append their signatures when convinced there is sufficient probable cause to establish a connection between the accused and the alleged criminal act. 

This article formally introduces you to warrant information in Arkansas and provides relevant information about finding and acting on these legal orders.

What constitutes warrant information in Arkansas?

A warrant is a legal record that authorizes the police department to take action to administer justice. Without a warrant, any action taken by prosecutors would violate a person's rights. 

According to U.S. laws, all state police departments must obtain a warrant to arrest or search someone, except in cases where the person commits a crime in the presence of an officer or other urgent circumstances.

Different types of warrant information in Arkansas 

There are different types of warrants in Arkansas, typically issued to detain an individual or search their property or premises.

Arkansas arrest warrants

It grants law enforcement the authority to apprehend and arrest individuals suspected of engaging in criminal behaviors. Once captured, the suspects are presented before a judicial officer, typically the judge or magistrate who issued the order. 

Arkansas has unique laws allowing private individuals to make arrests in particular situations; however, only law enforcement officers are authorized to execute warrants. Arkansas arrest warrants always state details like:

● The alleged crime
● The identity of the suspect
● The precise county where the crime occurred
● The identity of the issuing judge
● The date

What to do upon discovering an arrest warrant

Immediately you find warrant information for your arrest; it is best to consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer while you contact the law enforcement agency. 

The attorney will help prepare a bail bond, prevent detention, and prepare a defense strategy. Some attorneys can help you avert arrest or negotiate the time and place of meeting with the officers. 

Arkansas search warrant

Judges issue search warrants for law enforcement officers to conduct searches of individuals or properties. Some of the grounds on which judges approve these legal orders include: 

● Locating proof of criminal activity
● Confiscating weapons that may pose a risk to people or officers.

Arkansas residents may also request searches when there is an immediate threat to their life or safety, and failure to search would worsen the situation. Search warrants in Arkansas always highlight the following information: 

● The judge or magistrate's name
● The name of the county court
● The reason for the search
● The main focus of the investigation (person or thing)
● A timeframe to execute the search
● The validation date of the search warrant

In Arkansas, all search warrants have a time limit of 60 days and cannot be executed once the time limit runs out. However, if probable cause still exists, the prosecutor can request an extension or a new order.

When can officers execute search operations without a warrant in Arkansas?

The few instances when law enforcement agencies can search a person or a property without an Arkansas search warrant include:
● When the owner agrees to the search
● Hot pursuit of a suspect
● Emergencies when the evidence may be destroyed soon
● When the search's object is an automobile
● When the object of the investigation is in plain view or hearing of a police officer
● When the subject is a supervised parolee or on probation

How to find warrant information in Arkansas 

You can quickly determine if you have an outstanding warrant in Arkansas by visiting a local law enforcement agency's website. All county sheriffs make this information easily accessible to the public. 

When you're on the department's portal, search for a warrant list or search engine which may reveal crucial warrant details.

Generally, the information you can expect to find on the online warrant information database includes the following:

● The warrant number
● The charge
● The full name of the suspect
● Physical features of the suspect (race, height, weight, age, gender, hair color, and image)
● The bond amount
● The city where the warrant was issued

Another way to obtain a warrant in Arkansas is to request the search subject's criminal information from the state's Department of Public Safety. You may visit the department at 1 State Police Plaza Drive. The downside is that this method is often time-consuming and expensive.

What defines a "No-Knock" warrant in Arkansas?

Most search warrants in Arkansas enforce that officers provide a verbal notice ("knock and announce") before entering private property and allow the inhabitants a reasonable amount of time to grant access before resorting to forceful entry.

 
However, this often gives suspects enough time to flee or hide evidence, so the state created a "No-Knock" warrant. With a no-knock warrant, law enforcement officers can forcefully enter a property without announcing their presence. Other instances where a judge can authorize a no-knock warrant include:

● When the property owner is already aware of the search order
● When announcing will put the team at a safety risk
● When the suspect is hiding out in the location

Bottom Line

Once you find the warrant information you need, seek legal help and obey your attorney's instructions to ensure the warrant is quashed as soon as possible. All warrant information is public records in Arkansas, and the state does not entertain defaults in the orders. 

It is always advisable to voluntarily respond to all warrant orders in Arkansas because it will encourage the court to be lenient with the person.