Arkansas § 13-4-401 - Retention required — Destruction — Electronic reproduction.

Full text of Arkansas Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 13-4-401 — Retention required — Destruction — Electronic reproduction., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 13-4-401. Retention required — Destruction — Electronic reproduction.

A county sheriff's office shall maintain the records named in this subchapter for the period of time provided in this subchapter, after which time the records may be destroyed. Administrative records shall not be destroyed until at least one (1) year after an audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit or a private auditor is completed and approved. A record over fifty (50) years old shall not be destroyed before written notice by the custodian of the records in question has been furnished to the Arkansas State Archives, describing the scope and nature of the records, at least sixty (60) days before the destruction of the records. If a record is photographically or electronically transferred to other media of a permanent nature, the original document may be destroyed, except that a handwritten record over fifty (50) years old shall not be destroyed. A county record that is photographically transferred to other media of a permanent nature shall be transferred by a process that accurately reproduces or forms a durable medium for reproducing the original. When county records are transferred to other media of a permanent nature, the resulting transfer shall meet the following requirements: The information in the county record retained shall be transferred into a usable and accessible format capable of accurately reproducing the original over the time periods specified in § 13-4-301 et seq.; Operational procedures shall ensure that the authenticity, confidentiality, accuracy, reliability, and appropriate level of security are provided to safeguard the integrity of the information in the county record; Procedures shall be available for the backup, recovery, and storage of records to protect the records against media destruction or deterioration and information loss; and A retention conversion-and-review schedule shall be established to ensure that electronically or optically stored information is reviewed for data conversion at least one (1) time every four (4) years or more frequently when necessary to prevent the physical loss of data or loss due to technological obsolescence of the medium. Before any record is destroyed, the custodian of the record shall document the date and type of document. Records explicitly not addressed in this subchapter may be destroyed no sooner than three (3) years after an audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit or a private auditor is completed and approved.

Source: official Arkansas text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas § 13-4-401

What does Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 13-4-401 cover?

Section 13-4-401 ("Retention required — Destruction — Electronic reproduction.") is part of the Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Arkansas. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Arkansas § 13-4-401?

A common citation format is "Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 13-4-401" (Arkansas). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Arkansas law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Arkansas official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.

How does Arkansas § 13-4-401 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Arkansas can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Arkansas.