Ouachita County Booking Records

Ouachita County is in south central Arkansas, with Camden as the county seat. The Ouachita County Sheriff's Office runs the jail and holds the 24 hour booking records for the county. Arrests in Camden, East Camden, or the rural parts of the county all go through the county jail. This page shows how to find Ouachita County booking info, how to reach the sheriff, and what Arkansas law says about your right to ask for the records.

Ouachita County Sheriff and 24 Hour Booking

The Ouachita County Sheriff's Office is the main custodian of 24 hour booking records in the county. The office is at 109 Goodgame Street in Camden, AR 71701. The main phone is (870) 837-2410. The fax line is (870) 837-2419. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The jail runs around the clock. Records staff are there during business hours.

When a person is booked, the jail staff log the core facts. Name, date of birth, charge, and bond go into the booking system. That entry is a public record under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-103. A public record is any writing, photo, or data kept by a public agency. A booking sheet is a public record. A mugshot is too.

The county has two city police forces. The Camden Police Department is the larger one. Camden is the county seat and the main city in the county. The East Camden Police Department serves a smaller town east of Camden. Both PDs make city arrests, and the bookings go to the county jail. The sheriff holds all booking records.

How to Find 24 Hour Booking in Ouachita County

A phone call to the sheriff's office is the fastest way to check on a new Ouachita County booking. Staff can confirm custody, list the charges, and give the bond amount. The basic booking data is public the moment the booking is done.

For statewide tracking, use VINELink. The tool sends free alerts by phone or email when a person is booked, moved, or released.

The lead-in photo below shows the Arkansas CourtConnect case search page.

The Arkansas CourtConnect tool covers many counties. Cases show up the next business day after a prosecutor files. If Ouachita County is not on the list for a given time range, the Circuit Clerk in Camden holds the full file.

Ouachita County is in the 13th Judicial Circuit with Calhoun, Union, Columbia, and Lafayette counties. The circuit judge rotates through the courthouses.

Request Ouachita County 24 Hour Booking Records

Arkansas FOIA is set out in Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 and the sections that follow. The law gives citizens the right to ask for any public record, including booking sheets. The Arkansas FOIA Handbook is the official guide.

The Handbook puts the rule plainly. A citizen can make a verbal or written request for a public record. No reason needed. The custodian has three business days to respond under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-105. The same rule caps copy fees at 25 cents per page. Staff time cannot be charged.

In your request, list the full name of the person, the date of birth, and the booking date. Add a booking number if one is known. State the records you want: booking sheet, mugshot, charges, bond. Keep it short. You can send the request by email, fax, or mail. A verbal request in person works too.

The Attorney General FOIA page has sample letters and a FOIA hotline at (501) 682-2007. If the sheriff denies the request, you can file suit in circuit court under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-107. The judge can rule in a few days. If you win, the agency may have to pay your fees.

Ouachita County Booking Sheet Fields

An Ouachita County 24 hour booking sheet holds the same core data as any Arkansas jail. The sheet lists the full name, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, and address of the person booked. The booking number and booking date are included. The arresting agency is named. Charges are listed with Arkansas Code cites. Bond type and amount are set. A mugshot is in the file.

Arkansas bond types are cash, surety, property, and own recognizance. The first appearance judge sets the amount, or a local bond schedule is used. Most people post bond within a day or two of the booking. Those who cannot stay in jail until the case moves forward.

Some booking records have a hold noted. A hold is when another agency wants custody of the person. Federal holds, state parole holds, and warrants from other counties or states all count. The jail cannot release the person until the hold is cleared.

Some parts of the booking file are not public. Medical records, mental health notes, and social security numbers are closed or redacted. Juvenile records are closed under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-27-309. A juvenile booking will not show on the public roster. The basic adult booking info stays open.

Camden, East Camden, and Other Forces

Camden Police Department is the main city PD in Ouachita County. Camden is the county seat and the largest city in the county. The PD main phone is (870) 836-5755. The department handles city arrests for traffic, drugs, assault, theft, and other local charges. Bookings go to the county jail.

East Camden Police Department serves the smaller town just east of Camden. The PD main phone is (870) 574-4455. The East Camden PD works a smaller area but handles the same mix of calls. Bookings go to the county jail too.

The Arkansas State Police also work the county, mostly on US Highway 79 and state routes. State trooper arrests go to the county jail. Federal agents may also make arrests in the county, and their bookings can go to either the county jail or a federal facility, depending on the charge.

The county's circuit court is in Camden. Felony cases out of 24 hour bookings go there. District court handles misdemeanors and traffic cases. The Circuit Clerk in Camden holds the full case file for every filing.

State Tools for Ouachita County Records

State tools add to what the sheriff can give you.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate search covers state prison. Once a person is sentenced and sent to prison, the ADC holds that record. County jail bookings are separate.

The Arkansas Crime Information Center runs a $22 name based check. ACIC is the central criminal history file for the state. It shows arrests, charges, and final case outcomes. It does not include mugshots or current jail rosters.

The Arkansas Division of Community Correction parolee search covers people on parole or probation. An Ouachita County case that ends in probation may appear there.

The Arkansas Sex Offender Registry is public. It shows names, photos, addresses, and prior offenses for people who must register under state law.

For a list of every sheriff in the state, see the Arkansas Counties Association directory. Ouachita County borders Dallas, Calhoun, Union, Columbia, Nevada, and Clark counties. The site links to every neighbor sheriff too.