Paragould Sex Offenders Registry

Paragould sex offender records are managed by the Paragould Police Department and the Arkansas Crime Information Center, which provides a free public tool for searching Level 3 and Level 4 registered sex offenders within the city. This page explains how to run a search, how registration is handled locally through the Paragould PD in Greene County, what Arkansas law requires of registrants, and what restrictions apply to offenders living in this Northeast Arkansas city.

Searching for Sex Offenders in Paragould

The ACIC public sex offender registry is the official and free tool for searching registered sex offenders in Paragould. No sign-in or account is needed to use it. Type "Paragould" in the city field, or enter a local zip code, to see all Level 3 and Level 4 offenders with current registered addresses in the city. Each result shows a current photograph, home address, vehicle information, and the specific offense that required registration. The registry is updated as registering agencies report changes, so results reflect the most recently verified information on file.

A map view is also available in the ACIC system. You can enter a Paragould street address and draw a search radius to see all visible registered offenders within that area. This can be useful when checking a specific neighborhood or a block near a school. Each map pin links to the offender's full profile. Paragould's population has grown more than 14 percent over the past decade according to 2020 Census data, which means more residential addresses and a larger pool of people with potential registration obligations in the area.

Keep in mind that Level 1 and Level 2 offenders do not appear in public search results. They are in the ACIC system, but their information is not disclosed to the general public. A blank search result does not confirm that no one with a registration obligation lives at a given address. It only means no Level 3 or Level 4 offender with a public profile is registered there. For specific questions, call ACIC at (501) 682-2222.

Paragould PD Sex Offender Registration

The Paragould Police Department handles registration for sex offenders who establish residency within city limits. Officers collect registration data, photograph registrants, and enter all information into the CENSOR system, which feeds into the statewide ACIC database. The City of Paragould website provides current contact information for the police department, including hours for in-person registration services. The Paragould PD also coordinates with the Greene County Sheriff's Office on compliance monitoring and tracking offenders who move within the county.

Anyone required to register who moves to Paragould must complete registration within three business days of establishing residency. This applies to people coming from other Arkansas cities, from other states, and from incarceration or court supervision. The three-day window starts when the person begins living in the city, not when a lease begins or when belongings are moved in. Missing this deadline is a Class C felony under Ark. Code Ann. § 12-12-904, which carries three to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Paragould sits about 88 miles from Memphis and 153 miles from Little Rock, which means the city draws workers and residents who move in from other states at a meaningful rate. People arriving from Tennessee, Missouri, or other surrounding states are required to register in Arkansas even if they completed registration obligations under the laws of their previous state. The Arkansas obligation starts fresh from the day residency is established in Paragould. Claiming unawareness of the requirement is not a valid defense.

All updates to registration must be reported on time. This includes changes to address, vehicle, employer, and online accounts or identifiers. Most planned changes require ten days advance notice before the change happens. Emergency moves allow three days. Failing to report a change on time carries the same criminal exposure as failing to register in the first place.

Arkansas Sex Offender Laws That Apply in Paragould

The Arkansas Sex Offender Registration Act of 1997 applies in every city and county in the state, including Paragould. It is codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 12-12-901 et seq. The Act defines which offenses trigger registration, sets the registration timeline, establishes verification schedules, and lists what information must be provided at each check-in. No Paragould ordinance changes or overrides any of these requirements. State law governs completely.

Qualifying offenses under the Act include rape, sexual assault in the first through fourth degree, sexual indecency with a child, computer child pornography, internet stalking of a child, and a range of other serious offenses involving sexual conduct or exploitation of a minor. The list is broader than many people assume. Some offenses that might seem less serious still trigger lifetime registration requirements depending on the circumstances and the age of the victim.

Workers and students also face registration requirements under state law. Someone who works in Paragould but lives in another state must register in Greene County if they spend more than 14 consecutive days or more than 30 total days per calendar year in Arkansas. This applies to out-of-state contractors, seasonal workers, and students attending school in the city. Registration is required in the county where the work or school is located, not the person's home state address.

Risk Level Classifications for Paragould Sex Offenders

Arkansas assigns every convicted sex offender one of four risk levels through SOSRA, the Sex Offender Screening and Risk Assessment unit. SOSRA can be reached at (870) 850-8429. The classification process uses structured risk assessment tools, criminal history, interview data, and mental health information to estimate how likely the person is to reoffend. The level assigned determines what kind of public notification occurs and how often the offender must check in to verify their address.

Level 1 is low risk. These offenders are in the ACIC system but are not visible in public search results. Level 2 is moderate risk. Also not publicly visible, but local agencies may share information with schools and organizations that could have contact with the person. Level 3 is high risk. Level 3 offenders appear in public ACIC search results, and written notification goes to neighbors and schools near the registered address. Level 4 is the sexually violent predator designation. These offenders face the broadest community notification, which can include media coverage and posted notices in the area. Level 4 registrants must verify their address every 90 days instead of every six months.

Offenders who refuse to cooperate with SOSRA or who fail to appear for their scheduled assessment are not able to avoid classification by doing so. They are placed at a high risk level automatically. That level remains in effect until a reassessment is formally completed, which can be requested five years after the initial evaluation. The offender pays for the reassessment and typically must complete a polygraph or similar tool as part of the process.

Paragould Sex Offender Residency Restrictions

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-14-128, Level 3 and Level 4 sex offenders cannot live within 2,000 feet of any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or daycare facility. This restriction applies in every Arkansas city, including Paragould. The 2,000-foot buffer is measured from the property line of the protected site, not from the building. That distinction matters when school parcels are large or when a daycare is located on a sizeable lot.

Knowingly residing in a restricted zone is a Class D felony. A narrow exception applies to offenders who established residency at their current address before July 16, 2003, or before a nearby protected site opened after that date. This exception is void if the offender commits any new sex offense after claiming it. Any Level 3 or Level 4 offender seeking housing in Paragould should check buffer zones before committing to an address. The Paragould PD or the Greene County Sheriff's Office can help confirm whether a specific property falls within a restricted zone.

2nd Judicial Circuit and Paragould Sex Offense Cases

The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court serves Greene County and handles all felony sex offense cases originating in Paragould. When the court sentences someone for a qualifying offense, it issues a registration order that goes to ACIC. ACIC notifies the Paragould PD to begin the registration intake. This applies whether the sentence is prison time, probation, or a suspended sentence. The obligation to register starts at sentencing, not at release.

The circuit court also processes petitions for removal from the sex offender registry. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 12-12-919, an offender may file a petition after 15 years of clean conduct following the completion of their full sentence, including any period of community supervision. The court considers the original offense, current SOSRA risk level, compliance history, and victim input. Community members have the right to attend and speak at hearings. Removal is not guaranteed. Petitions are denied regularly, particularly for higher-risk offenders and those with a history of registration violations.

City of Paragould Resources

The City of Paragould website provides current contact information for city departments and public resources for residents and visitors.

The City of Paragould official website offers access to department directories, police department contact information, and community resources for the Paragould area.

Use the city website to find current police department hours and the correct contact before arriving for in-person registration.

Greene County Sex Offender Registration

Paragould is the county seat of Greene County. Sex offenders who live in unincorporated parts of Greene County register with the Greene County Sheriff's Office rather than the Paragould PD. For people living inside Paragould city limits, the Police Department is the correct registering agency. Both offices enter data into the CENSOR system, which links to the statewide ACIC database.

Visit the Greene County sex offender registry page for county-level details and Sheriff's Office contact information.

Nearby Arkansas Cities

The following nearby city also has sex offender registry information available.