This is Part 2 of our two-part series on sealing criminal records in Arkansas. Part 1 covers misdemeanors, arrests, and dismissed charges: Part 1 — Misdemeanors. A felony conviction follows you harder and longer than anything else on a record — jobs, housing, professional licenses, volunteering at your kid's school. What most Arkansans don't know is that the law on sealing felonies has been rewritten in their favor over the past few years. If you were told years ago that you

This is Part 1 of our two-part series on sealing criminal records in Arkansas. Part 2 covers felonies: Part 2 — Felonies. A criminal record follows you long after the case is closed. Even a single misdemeanor shows up on background checks for jobs, apartments, and professional licenses — sometimes decades after the fact. The good news: for most Arkansas misdemeanors, the law gives you a clear path to put it behind you, often with no waiting period at all. This article covers

A felony conviction does not take away your right to vote forever. In Arkansas you can get it back, but it does not happen automatically. You have to take a few steps yourself. Who can get their voting rights back Under Amendment 51 of the Arkansas Constitution, you can register to vote again once you have: Finished any prison time Been discharged from probation or parole Paid all probation or parole fees Paid all court costs, fines, and restitution A misdemeanor conviction d