>Accomack County Arrest Records Online

Accomack County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Accomack County, Virginia?

Arrest records in Accomack County, Virginia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Virginia residents to access governmental records maintained by public bodies, including those held by law enforcement agencies. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically designates that all public records shall be presumed open, unless an exemption is properly invoked by the custodian of the requested records. The Act's purpose is to ensure government transparency by allowing citizens to witness governmental operations and increasing awareness of governmental activities.

Law enforcement agencies in Accomack County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document the circumstances surrounding an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy in accordance with § 2.2-3706, the core arrest information remains accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Accomack County?

Arrest records for Accomack County are available through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Virginia Court System provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. The digital availability of these records serves the dual purpose of enhancing governmental transparency while providing convenient access for citizens seeking information.

The Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator system offers online verification of individuals currently in custody or under supervision. This resource includes information about inmates housed at Accomack County Jail and other correctional facilities throughout the Commonwealth. Users should note that online systems may not contain complete historical records, and certain information may be subject to restrictions under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the same legal provisions that govern physical records. Pursuant to Virginia law, certain information may be withheld if its release would compromise an ongoing investigation, violate an individual's privacy rights, or potentially endanger public safety. Users of online systems should be aware of these limitations when conducting research.

How to Look Up Accomack County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Accomack County arrest records have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information:

Accomack County Sheriff's Office
23323 Wise Court
Accomac, VA 23301
(757) 787-1131
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted by their deputies and can provide copies upon proper request.
Accomack County General District Court
23371 Front Street
Accomac, VA 23301
(757) 787-0923
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The court maintains records of criminal proceedings resulting from arrests within the county.
Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
(804) 674-2000
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
The State Police maintain a centralized repository of criminal history information, including arrest data.

Requestors must submit a formal records request in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704. Agencies are required to respond to such requests within five working days, either by providing the requested records, denying the request with specific legal justification, or requesting additional time to fulfill the request. Fees may be assessed to cover the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, or supplying the requested records.

Contents of an Accomack County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Accomack County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Virginia Code § 19.2-390:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Biometric data including fingerprints and, when collected, DNA samples
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Identification of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
Disposition information indicating whether the individual was released on bond, detained pending arraignment, or otherwise processed

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations. Additionally, records pertaining to arrests that did not result in conviction may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances outlined in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Accomack County

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records through Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. In Accomack County, as throughout Virginia, individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
The prosecution was terminated by nolle prosequi
The charge was otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction
The individual was granted an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Accomack Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court or the Accomack Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the original case. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest warrant or indictment
The date of the arrest
The name of the arresting agency
The specific charge to be expunged
The date of the final disposition of the charge
The petitioner's fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. The Commonwealth's Attorney may object to the petition, in which case the petitioner must demonstrate that the continued existence of the record causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice. If the court grants the petition, all public entities possessing records related to the arrest will be ordered to remove them from public access.

It should be noted that expungement in Virginia is not available to individuals convicted of the offense for which they were arrested, even if that conviction was later set aside or dismissed pursuant to a period of probation.