Find Felony Records in Izard County

Izard County felony records are maintained by the Circuit Court in Melbourne, serving as part of the 16th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search for felony records in Izard County through CourtConnect, the ARCH criminal history system, or by contacting the Circuit Clerk in person or by mail.

Izard County CourtConnect Search

The Arkansas Judiciary provides a free public case search tool called CourtConnect. Izard County has full CourtConnect access, which means case records are more complete online than counties with partial access.

Full access lets you view the complete docket history, charges, case status, and in many cases document images. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney without creating an account. For most felony cases filed after the county joined the Contexte case management system, the online record will be comprehensive.

You can search CourtConnect by party name, case number, or attorney name at no cost. No account is required for a basic public search. The Arkansas Courts CourtConnect information page has more detail on what the system does and does not show, including which counties have full versus partial access.

This screenshot shows the CourtConnect public case search interface used to look up Izard County felony and criminal case records.

ARCH Criminal History Search

The Arkansas Rap Sheet (ARCH) system is the statewide tool for searching felony conviction records. It is run by the Arkansas State Police. A search costs $24 total, which breaks down as $20 for the base search plus processing fees. You need the subject's full legal name, sex, and date of birth to run a search. No signed consent from the subject is required. Payment is by debit or credit card only.

ARCH results include felony and misdemeanor convictions, open felony arrests within the last three years, and sex offender registry listings at Levels 1 through 4. The system does not show juvenile records, sealed convictions, acquittals, dismissals, traffic offenses, or records from other states and federal courts. Results cover all of Arkansas, so you do not need to know the county in advance.

This screenshot shows the ARCH system, where you can look up Izard County felony records and statewide criminal history information.

Izard County Circuit Court

All felony cases in Izard County are filed with the Circuit Court as part of the 16th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk maintains the official case file for every felony filed locally. Izard County is a small, rural county in north-central Arkansas. Melbourne serves as the county seat. The county has full CourtConnect access for online case lookups.

Circuit Court address: 300 Circle Drive, Melbourne, AR 72556. Phone: 870-368-4313. Business hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask about current copy fees before making an in-person trip or mailing a records request.

Fees for copies of court documents vary by county. A common range is 25 cents per page for plain copies and $5.00 for certified or authenticated copies. Ask the Circuit Clerk for the current fee schedule when you contact the office.

How to Access Izard County Felony Records

There are several ways to look up felony records in Izard County. The method that works best depends on how much you know about the case and what type of record you need.

1. Online via CourtConnect (free): Search CourtConnect for case records. Izard County has full access.
2. In person: Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at 300 Circle Drive, Melbourne, AR 72556 during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
3. By mail: Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the case number or party name, and ask about current copy fees before mailing payment.
4. ARCH criminal history ($24): Use the ARCH system for a statewide criminal history search. You need the subject's full legal name, sex, and date of birth.

CourtConnect and ARCH are the two fastest starting points for most searches. CourtConnect is free and gives you court case details. ARCH costs $24 but runs a broader criminal history search that includes conviction data statewide, not just one county.

What Felony Records in Izard County Include

A felony case file in Izard County typically contains the charging document (information or indictment), the case docket showing all court appearances and filings, any pleas entered, trial records if the case went to trial, sentencing documents, and any post-conviction motions. The Circuit Clerk maintains the full file for each case.

CourtConnect shows a summary of this information - case numbers, parties, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. It does not always include the full text of each document. If you need the actual filings, you will need to visit the Circuit Clerk in person or submit a mail request with the case number.

Sealed records are not visible through CourtConnect or ARCH. Under Arkansas's Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1401 et seq.), some non-violent Class C and D felony convictions may be sealed after completion of the sentence. Class Y felonies cannot be sealed.

Statewide Resources for Arkansas Felony Records

Beyond Izard County's local resources, several statewide tools can help with felony record searches across Arkansas.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) maintains an inmate search database with records going back to 1940. ADC records show offense date, county, charges, and sentence information. Photos are included for current inmates.

The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) maintains the statewide criminal history database used by law enforcement. Public access runs through the ARCH system. ACIC also maintains the sex offender registry, which is searchable through the Arkansas State Police website at no charge.

For background checks requiring fingerprint verification, the CBC system handles authorized entity checks with subject consent. CBC results are more thorough than name-based ARCH results because they match fingerprints rather than names.

Arkansas FOIA and Felony Records

Most felony court records in Arkansas are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101. Anyone can request access to public court records without explaining why or showing any connection to the case.

Some records are exempt from FOIA disclosure. Juvenile records are protected under Ark. Code § 9-27-309. Active investigation records may be withheld. Sealed convictions are not released. Victim identifying information in certain cases may also be restricted. If the Circuit Clerk denies your request, they must explain the legal basis for the denial. The clerk has three working days to respond to a public records request.