Below is a general overview of when juvenile records can be expunged in Arkansas. Please note that the Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not provide legal advice.
Read the legal policies and statutes for detailed statutory information.
Juvenile Record Clearance Policies Overview
If you have certain convictions or adjudications on your record, you may not be eligible to have your record expunged.
Find a Lawyer
If you think you might be eligible to have your record expunged, find a lawyer who may be able to help you. Some lawyers might help you for free, although you may still need to pay a fee to file the paperwork in court.
Court Forms and Resources
If you cannot find a lawyer to help you, you may be able to file a petition on your own using these court forms and resources.
Explore legal service providers located in the state by proximity to a zip code or county.
Contact information for legal aid organizations, bar associations, and other organizations that engage in record clearance work is provided for informational purposes only. The Clean Slate Clearinghouse does not endorse or recommend any organization or individual referenced on the site. If you are a legal service provider who offers record clearance services, please contact us.
Service area: Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Conway, Crawford, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Grant, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Miller, Montgomery, Nevada, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Union, White, and Yell counties
Service area: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lee, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Newton, Phillips, Poinsett, Randolph, St. Francis, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington, and Woodruff counties
Records relating to most misdemeanor convictions or violations can be sealed by the court after sentence completion, provided all fines, fees, and costs have been paid in full. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1405(a).
For offenses listed in section 16-90-1405(b)(1), the petition to seal cannot be filed until five years after sentence completion.
View DetailsRecords relating to misdemeanor convictions defined in section 16-90-1405(b)(1) can be sealed by the court five years after sentence completion. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1405(b)(1). (Cannot link directly to statutes.)
View DetailsRecords relating to felony convictions specified in section 16-90-1406(a) can be sealed by the court after sentence completion, provided the person has no more than one previous felony conviction, sealed or otherwise. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1406.
View DetailsA record of conviction for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to section 5-64-419, or a counterfeit substance pursuant to section 5-64-441, can be sealed by the court immediately upon the person's sentence completion, provided that he or she meets the criteria specified in this section. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1407.
View DetailsThe governor shall notify the court upon issuing a pardon, and the court shall seal the record of the conviction of the person pardoned. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1411(a)(1).
View DetailsA copy of a pardon issued before July 15, 1991, can be filed with the court. The court shall seal the record upon the filing of a copy of the pardon. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1411(a)(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to a conviction for prostitution pursuant to section 5-70-102 can be sealed by the court if the conviction was obtained as a result of the petitioner's having been a victim of human trafficking. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1412(b)(1).
View DetailsRecords relating to a conviction for a violent Class C or Class D felony can be sealed five years after sentence completion, provided the person has no more than one previous felony conviction. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1406(b). (Cannot link directly to statutes)
View DetailsRecords relating to a case dismissed after successful completion of probation pursuant to section 16-93-303 are sealed by the court. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-93-303, 16-90-1401 et seq.
View DetailsRecords relating to a case dismissed after successful completion of a drug court program can be sealed by the court. The drug court program judge can also order the sealing and dismissal of offenses falling within a target group under section 16-93-1202(10)(A)(i). Ark. Code Ann. § 16-98-303(g).
View DetailsAn arrest record can be sealed by the court if charges have not been filed by the prosecuting attorney within one year of the date of arrest. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1409(a).
View DetailsRecords relating to a case resulting in nolle prosequi upon motion of the prosecuting attorney can be sealed by the court one year after the date the nolle prosequi was entered. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-90-1410(a)(1).
View DetailsRecords relating to a case can be sealed by the court immediately upon an order of dismissal, a prosecuting attorney's decision not to file charges, or an acquittal, unless the acquittal was for reason of mental disease or defect. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-90-1410(a)(2)-(4).
View DetailsRecords relating to juvenile delinquency charges and adjudications can be expunged at any time, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309(b)(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to juvenile delinquency charges and adjudications shall be expunged when the person turns 21, so long as the person is not subject to a disqualifying event. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309(a)(2).
View DetailsRecords relating to an adjudication for which a juvenile could have been tried as an adult can be expunged 10 years after the last adjudication of delinquency, date of a guilty or nolo contendere plea, or finding of guilt as an adult. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309(b)(1)(A)(B).
View DetailsRecords relating to juveniles who are designated as extended juvenile jurisdiction offenders can be expunged 10 years after the last adjudication of delinquency, date of guilty or solo contendere plea, or finding of guilt as an adult, or when the person turns 21, whichever waiting period is longer. Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309(b)(2), (c).
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