Access Hempstead County Criminal Court Records
Hempstead County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office in Hope, which serves the county seat and surrounding area. The office handles felony filings, misdemeanor appeals, domestic cases, civil matters, and land records. You can search case information online through CourtConnect, visit the Hope courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This guide covers each method and gives you the contact details and fee information you need to get Hempstead County court records.
Hempstead County Criminal Court Records
Hempstead County Circuit Clerk
The Circuit Clerk for Hempstead County is Lacey Jones. The office is at 400 South Washington, Hope, AR 71802. Mailing address is P.O. Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802. Phone is (870) 777-2384, fax is (870) 722-0030. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-20-102, the clerk is required to record all court proceedings, issue summons and warrants, and maintain files for all pending and closed cases in the county.
The Hempstead County Circuit Clerk's website at hempsteadcountyar.com has office information and contact details. The office uses the eFlex electronic filing system for attorneys who file court documents in Hempstead County cases. A large share of court documents are now filed electronically, which has made the filing process faster. However, real estate documents cannot be filed electronically and must be submitted in person or by mail.
For pro se filers (people who represent themselves), documents can be submitted by USPS, FedEx, UPS, or hand delivery. Electronic filing is only available to attorneys of record. The Child Support Division for Hempstead County can be reached at (870) 777-8400 for matters related to child support enforcement.
The Hempstead County Sheriff's Office in Hope maintains arrest records, warrant information, and inmate data that are separate from but related to the criminal court records held by the Circuit Clerk.
Search Hempstead County Cases Online
Hempstead County participates in the Arkansas CourtConnect system at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Participation is partial, meaning basic case information is available but document images are not. You can search by party name or case number and see case status, filing dates, docket entries, and scheduled hearing dates. No account is required and there is no fee to use the public search.
Partial participation is the norm for most Arkansas counties outside the nine that have full access. In practice it means you can confirm a case exists and get the case number, but you will need to contact the clerk for the actual documents. CourtConnect is still a useful first step because it saves you from having to search by hand at the courthouse when you just need to verify a case or check its current status.
Records that predate the county's entry into the Contexte system will not appear online. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and expunged matters are excluded from all public searches. The system is down for maintenance from 12:30 AM to 2:00 AM weekdays and from Saturday evening through Sunday noon.
How to Get Hempstead County Court Records
To visit in person, go to the Circuit Clerk's office at 400 South Washington in Hope during regular hours. Public inspection of records is free. Bring a photo ID and any identifying information about the case. Staff can locate records and give you the copy cost before you commit to any payment. The copy fee is set under state court rules, with standard copying fees applying to most requests and certified copies running $5.00 per document.
For mail requests, send a written request to Hempstead Circuit Clerk's Office, PO Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802. Include the case number or party names, approximate filing date, and what type of records you need. Attach payment for the estimated copy fees. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101, the office must respond to FOIA requests within three business days. For email questions, contact hempsteadclerk@arkansasclerks.com, though staff cannot send restricted records by email.
Court fines and fees can be paid in three ways: by mail to PO Box 1420, in person at the Circuit Clerk's office, or online at myfinepayment.com using a credit or debit card. Online payment is convenient for those who just need to settle an outstanding balance without making a trip to the courthouse.
Note: Real estate documents must be submitted in person or by postal carrier since they cannot be filed electronically in Hempstead County.
Hempstead County Sheriff and Arrest Records
Arrest records for Hempstead County come from the Sheriff's Office at 312 S Washington Street, Hope, AR 71801. Phone is (870) 777-6727. The Sheriff's website at hempsteadcountysheriff.org lists wanted persons and information about warrants. Warrants in Hempstead County are issued by both the Circuit Court and the District Court depending on the case type.
The Sheriff handles arrest records, warrant verification, inmate records, and incident reports. These are separate from what the Circuit Clerk maintains, though they often relate to the same underlying cases. To get an incident report from the Sheriff, submit a written FOIA request. The office must respond within three business days under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101.
The Arkansas State Police Criminal Background Check system processes statewide name-based checks for $22.00 per search. This covers all Arkansas counties, not just Hempstead, and is useful when you need a full picture of someone's criminal history across the state.
Juvenile and Restricted Records
Hempstead County has specific procedures around juvenile records that differ from general criminal court record access. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Access is limited to attorneys of record or government agencies that are directly involved in the case. Anyone else who wants access to juvenile records must get a court order from the Circuit Judge.
Juvenile cases in Hempstead County are started by petition from the Prosecuting Attorney or the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The Circuit Clerk maintains these records under restricted access rules. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309, juvenile delinquency records are sealed and not available for general public searches, whether in person or through CourtConnect.
Beyond juvenile records, sealed and expunged records are also excluded from public access. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and victim addresses in domestic violence cases are redacted from any copies provided to the public.
Types of Records the Clerk Maintains
The Hempstead County Circuit Clerk keeps a broad range of records. Criminal records include felony cases and misdemeanor appeals from Hempstead District Court. Domestic relations cases cover divorce, custody, and child support matters. Civil cases include contract disputes and other civil litigation. Land records include deeds, mortgages, conveyances, and liens, as the clerk serves as the ex-officio county recorder. The office also holds powers of attorney, soldiers' discharges, and leases that are submitted for recording.
Each criminal case file typically includes the charging document, any warrant that was issued, bond records, plea information, the judgment, and the full docket sheet. For older cases not in CourtConnect, contact the clerk directly. Very old records may be at the Arkansas State Archives.
Hempstead County Court Resources
The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts provides court contact information and self-help guides for all Arkansas counties. The Arkansas Association of Counties directory lists circuit clerks and other county officials. For legal assistance, Arkansas Legal Services serves low-income residents who need help navigating criminal court matters. The Arkansas Crime Information Center offers a free sex offender registry search by name or location that covers all counties including Hempstead.
Nearby Counties
If the case you need was filed in a neighboring county, these Circuit Clerk offices may have the records you are looking for.