>Alexandria City County Arrest Records Online

Alexandria Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Alexandria, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Alexandria, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that all public records, including arrest records, shall be available for inspection by any citizen of the Commonwealth during regular business hours. The VFOIA serves as a mechanism to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability to the public. The Alexandria Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain exemptions may apply under § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia, particularly for ongoing investigations or where disclosure might compromise public safety. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions under § 16.1-301.

How to Look Up Alexandria Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Alexandria provides multiple channels through which citizens and authorized parties may access arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information have the following options:

Visit the Alexandria Police Department headquarters in person to submit a records request. Alexandria Police Department 3600 Wheeler Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304 Phone: (703) 746-4444 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a request to the Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk's Office, which maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk's Office 520 King Street, Room 307 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 746-4044 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Access the Alexandria Crime Database Search portal, which provides limited information on recent criminal activity and arrests within city limits.
Contact the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Division for statewide criminal history information. Virginia State Police, Criminal Records Division P.O. Box 27472 Richmond, VA 23261 Phone: (804) 674-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors must complete Form SP-167, available at the Virginia State Police website, and submit the appropriate fee as established by § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia. Processing times typically range from 15 to 20 business days from receipt of a properly completed request.

Contents of an Alexandria Arrest Record

Alexandria arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Virginia law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Case number and incident report identifiers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Initial court appearance details and bail/bond determination
Custody status (released or detained)
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

Pursuant to § 19.2-390 of the Code of Virginia, law enforcement agencies must report all arrests for which fingerprints are taken to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. These records become part of the individual's criminal history information, which is subject to specific dissemination rules under state and federal law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alexandria

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under limited circumstances as outlined in § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia. Expungement petitions in Alexandria must be filed with the Circuit Court where the case was originally processed.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Alexandria include:

Acquittal of all charges related to the arrest
Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Dismissal of charges
Absolute pardon for wrongful conviction
Identity theft cases where the petitioner's name was used without authorization

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Alexandria Circuit Court Alexandria Circuit Court 520 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 746-4044
Payment of the required filing fee (approximately $88 as of 2025)
Submission of fingerprints to the law enforcement agency
Service of the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a Circuit Court judge

If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies possessing records related to the arrest to remove such records from public access and seal them. The practical effect is that the arrest is treated as if it never occurred for most purposes. However, certain government agencies may retain access to sealed records under specific circumstances outlined in § 19.2-392.3.

Accessing Arrest Records Through Alexandria Courts

The Alexandria court system maintains records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. These records are accessible through different courts depending on the nature and status of the case:

The Alexandria General District Court handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings for felonies. Alexandria General District Court 520 King Street, 2nd Floor Alexandria, VA 22314 Criminal Division Phone: (703) 746-4030 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Alexandria Circuit Court processes felony cases and maintains records of all criminal proceedings within its jurisdiction. Alexandria Circuit Court 520 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 746-4044 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

To access court records related to arrests, individuals may:

Visit the respective clerk's office during business hours to use public access terminals
Submit a written request using the appropriate court forms
Access the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System for basic case status information
Request certified copies of court documents for a fee established by statute

Court records may contain additional information not included in police arrest records, such as:

Formal charging documents (indictments or informations)
Court appearance dates and outcomes
Plea information
Sentencing details
Post-conviction proceedings

Limitations on Use of Alexandria Arrest Records

The Commonwealth of Virginia imposes specific restrictions on the use of arrest record information obtained from public sources. Pursuant to § 19.2-389.1 of the Code of Virginia, it is unlawful to require an individual to disclose information about arrests or charges that have been expunged.

Additional limitations include:

Prohibition against using arrest record information for employment decisions unless there is a conviction directly related to the position, as specified in § 40.1-23.1
Restrictions on using arrest records for housing decisions under fair housing laws
Prohibition against commercial data brokers disseminating expunged record information
Requirements for accuracy in reporting criminal history information by consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office and Alexandria Department of Corrections maintain separate records regarding the custody status of individuals following arrest. Alexandria Sheriff's Office 2003 Mill Road Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 746-4114 Hours: Administrative Offices - Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Violations of these provisions may result in civil liability under both state and federal law, including potential actions under § 8.01-40.3 of the Code of Virginia regarding unlawful dissemination of criminal history record information.