>Albemarle County Arrest Records Online

Albemarle County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Albemarle County, Virginia?

Arrest records in Albemarle 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. The VFOIA establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or protected by privilege. This legal framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access information about arrests and other legal proceedings conducted by public agencies.

The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain records may be restricted if they pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or contain sensitive personal information as defined in § 2.2-3705.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is public, the method of access and associated fees may vary depending on the specific record requested and the agency maintaining such records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Albemarle County?

Albemarle County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests processed through the Albemarle County court system. This system is maintained pursuant to the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia governing electronic filing and access to court records.

The Virginia Court Case Information System allows users to search for case information by name, case number, or hearing date. Records available online typically include:

Case status information
Hearing dates and times
Charge information
Disposition of cases
Court orders and judgments

It should be noted that pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-293, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public access to the substantive content of court records. Additionally, the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides information about individuals currently incarcerated following conviction.

How to Look Up Albemarle County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Albemarle County arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Requesters should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search and may be required to present identification.

Albemarle County Sheriff's Office
411 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 972-4001
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office

Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
501 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 972-4083
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Albemarle Circuit Court

Electronic access is available through the Virginia Judiciary's online case information system. Users may search by name, case number, or hearing date to locate records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate agency. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to such requests within five working days, either by providing the requested records, denying the request with citation to applicable exemptions, or requesting additional time to respond.
Certified copies of arrest records may be obtained for official purposes, such as immigration proceedings or employment verification, by submitting a notarized request form and paying the applicable certification fee.

All requests are subject to processing fees as authorized by Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F), which permits agencies to make reasonable charges for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records.

Contents of an Albemarle County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Albemarle County law enforcement agencies and courts contain standardized information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-390. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Unique identifiers such as state identification numbers and fingerprint classification
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Custody status information
Court docket number if the case has been filed with the court
Disposition information if the case has been adjudicated

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-130, all arrest records must include fingerprint data transmitted to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This information is used for identification purposes and to track criminal histories across jurisdictions.

It should be noted that arrest records reflect only the fact that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Virginia law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Albemarle County

Virginia law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2. Individuals may petition for expungement in Albemarle County when:

The individual was acquitted of the charge
The prosecution was dismissed with prejudice
The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit
The individual's name was used without consent by another person charged with a crime
The arrest was based on mistaken identity

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Albemarle County Circuit Court, where the original case was heard or would have been heard. Petitioners must submit:

A completed petition for expungement form
Certified copies of the relevant case disposition
A set of fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency
The filing fee as established by the court (approximately $88 as of 2025)

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. The Commonwealth's Attorney may consent to the expungement or object based on statutory grounds. If granted, the court will order all public records related to the arrest to be removed from public access and sealed. These records are not destroyed but are maintained separately with access restricted to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances.

It is important to note that Virginia's expungement laws are more restrictive than those in many other states. Convictions, including those resulting from guilty pleas or pleas of nolo contendere, are generally not eligible for expungement under current Virginia law.