Crime Statistics
In 2018, Garland County had a total of 992 violent crimes. These include 6 murders, 6 abductions, 101 sex offenses, 459 simple assaults and 420 aggravated assaults. There were also 2,847 property crimes including 7 arsons, 60 robberies, 348 motor vehicle thefts, 1,402 burglaries, and 1,030 cases of property damage.
Between 2014 and 2018, the county saw increased rates of sex offense (74.1%), simple assault (317.2%), aggravated assault (29.6%), burglary (56.5%), property damage (108.5%), motor vehicle theft (136.7%), and robbery (233.3%). On the other hand, the numbers of reported abductions (-33%) reduced. There were no recorded cases of murder, arson, or bribery in the county in 2014.
Criminal Records
The Arkansas State Police provides access to criminal records in the state. Records are available to the general public through its Arkansas Criminal History (ARCH) system. Search online using the person’s First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and Sex. The online system only accepts payments via credit and debit cards. Each search costs $24 and will produce a list of records that match the details provided. A requester may only view one record after results are displayed. Each additional viewing or search will cost an extra $24. All fees are non-refundable.
Arrest records are available at the Garland County Sheriff’s Department, To request copies of an arrest record, contact the Sheriff’s Department using the details below:
Garland County Sheriff’s Department
525 Ouachita Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3660
The Arkansas Crime Information Center maintains a public record of sex offenders in the state through the ACIC Sex Offender Registry Search. Search for offenders by county, address, city, or zip code. The sex offender registry database is also available for download, via the Information Network of Arkansas (INA). The INA requires a paid annual subscription, and 10 cents per downloaded record.
The Garland County Sheriff's Department maintains a public record of inmates in the county’s detention facility. Use the Garland County Inmate Roster to search for current inmates by name, sex, race, age, charge, and booking date.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) also maintains a public record of inmates in Garland County. Visit the Inmate Population Information Search and select Garland from the County drop-down menu. Other options available to filter search results include ADC Number, Facility, First Name, Last Name, Gender, Race, and Offense Category. The ACIC also keeps lists of executions, death row inmates, and escaped inmates by county.
Garland County has two detention centers including the Adult Detention Center and the Juvenile Detention Center. The Garland County Sheriff’s Department does not keep a public record of inmates in the juvenile detention center. Listed below are the addresses and contact information of the detention centers:
Garland County Adult Detention Center
3564 Albert Pike Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913
(501) 622-3683
Garland County Juvenile Detention Center
222 Woodbine
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3643
Family and friends may fund inmates’ commissary accounts online via Smart Deposit Plus, in person, or by mail. Visit the detention center with a cashier’s check or money order to fund an account in person. To fund an inmate’s account by mail, send the cashier’s check or money order to either of the detention centers, with the inmate’s personal information and a return address.
Inmates are allowed a maximum of two on-site weekly visits, with one on a weekday and the other on a weekend. Each on-site visit runs for a maximum of 40 minutes from Thursday to Sunday, between 12:00 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. Visitors must arrive 15 minutes before the visit is scheduled to begin, with a government-issued ID.
Offsite visits are available at a fee, in intervals of 20 and 40 minutes every day from 12:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. Visitors must schedule all visits at least 24 hours in advance. Contact the detention center for information on fees and schedules.
Court Records
The Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) allows public access to court records in the state, in accordance with the Supreme Court Administrative Order Number 19. Use the Person Name or Business Name Search, and select Garland from the County drop-down menu. Search for court records on this portal by Last Name or Company Name, First Name, and Case Filing Date. The AOC also allows the public to use the Cases Filed by Date Search, Docket Filings by Date Search, and Judgment Search on the same portal.
Garland County has a Circuit Court and a District Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases with claims of more than $100, and up to $25,000. The court also handles criminal cases including felonies and misdemeanors, domestic cases, juvenile, and mental health cases. The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil equity claims.
The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases with claims less than $100. The Court however shares jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over cases between $100 and $25,000. Listed below are their addresses and contact information:
Garland County Circuit Court
501 Ouachita Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 622-3630
Fax: (501) 609-9043
Garland County District Court
607 Ouachita Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Fax: (501) 321-6764
The Garland County Assessor’s Office maintains property records. Use the Property Records Search to find records by Name, Parcel ID, Property ID, and Physical Address.
Vital Records
Arkansas vital records are only available to the persons named on the records as well as their parents, spouses, offsprings, guardians, and legal representatives. Garland County divorce records are available at the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office using the information below:
Circuit Clerk’s Office
501 Ouachita Avenue
Room 207
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3630
The Garland County Health Unit maintains marriage, birth, and death records. To request for any of these vital records, contact the Health Unit using the information below:
Garland County Health Unit
1425 Malvern Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 624-3394
Fax: (501) 624-3394
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
All vital records are also accessible at the Arkansas Department of Health. A marriage record costs $10. A birth record costs $12 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy if ordered at the same time with the first copy. A death record costs $10 for the first copy and $8 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. All records can be requested online, by mail, and in person.
To order a Garland County marriage, birth, or death record by mail, download and complete the Marriage Coupon Application, Birth Certificate Application, or the Death Certificate Application. Enclose the completed application, a copy of a government-issued ID, and a check or money order, for total copy fees, made out to Arkansas Department of Health, in an envelope. Send this request to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
To order in person, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s Vital Records Office on a weekday with a completed copy of the desired application and a government-issued ID. The Records Office entertains requests every weekday, except public holidays, between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Payment options include credit or debit cards, cash, and a check or money order payable to the Arkansas Department of Health.
To order by telephone, call the toll-free line at (866) 209-9482. Payment must be made with a credit or debit card, from MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.
