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Charlottesville County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Charlottesville County, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Charlottesville County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Virginia Public Records Act further mandates the preservation and accessibility of these records to ensure transparency in governmental operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities within Charlottesville County. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

  • Promoting accountability within the criminal justice system
  • Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
  • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
  • Facilitating background checks for employment and housing

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted in accordance with Code of Virginia § 2.2-3706, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, endanger individuals, or violate privacy protections established by state or federal law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Charlottesville County?

Digital access to Charlottesville County arrest records is available through several authorized government platforms. The Virginia Judiciary's Online Case Information System provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Additionally, the Charlottesville Police Department maintains certain arrest data through its online portal in compliance with public disclosure requirements.

The Virginia Court System offers a centralized database for searching adult criminal case information, including records from Charlottesville County courts. Users may search by name, case number, or hearing date to locate arrest-related court documents. The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail also maintains an inmate locator service that provides information on currently detained individuals.

Online access to these records is governed by the following provisions:

  • Records are typically updated within 24-48 hours of processing
  • Electronic access may require registration or nominal fees for certain detailed reports
  • Some sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of records
  • Historical records may have limited availability in digital format

Charlottesville Police Department
606 East Market Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3280
Charlottesville Police Department

How to Look Up Charlottesville County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Charlottesville County as of 2025. The appropriate method depends on the specific information sought and the intended use of the records.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the following locations:

Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office
315 East High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3766
Charlottesville Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Charlottesville Police Department Records Division
606 East Market Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3280
Request Police Reports
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For online searches, the following resources are available:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to either the court clerk or police department with the following information:

  • Full name of the subject
  • Date of birth or approximate age
  • Date or approximate timeframe of arrest
  • Case number (if known)
  • Requestor's contact information
  • Purpose of request (may be required for certain records)

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies must respond to requests within five working days, either by providing the records, denying the request with specific legal basis, or requesting additional time to fulfill the request.

Contents of a Charlottesville County Arrest Record

Arrest records in Charlottesville County contain standardized information as prescribed by Virginia law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in detention or formal charging.

Standard information included in Charlottesville County arrest records:

  • Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
  • Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
  • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
  • Residential address at time of arrest
  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Statutory charges filed, including Virginia Code references
  • Booking photographs ("mugshots")
  • Fingerprint classification data
  • Case/incident number
  • Bail or bond information
  • Initial court appearance details

Additional information that may appear in comprehensive arrest records:

  • Narrative description of the alleged offense
  • Property seized during arrest
  • Names of co-defendants (if applicable)
  • Victim information (often redacted in public versions)
  • Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction
  • Detention facility assignment

The Charlottesville General District Court maintains records of misdemeanor arrests, while the Charlottesville Circuit Court maintains records of felony arrests following preliminary hearings or grand jury indictments.

Charlottesville General District Court
606 East Market Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3388
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Expungement of Arrest Records in Charlottesville County

Virginia law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Charlottesville County under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed entirely.

Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2, individuals may petition for expungement when:

  • The arrest resulted in acquittal
  • Nolle prosequi was entered or the case was otherwise dismissed
  • The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit
  • The individual's name or identity was used without consent by another person charged with a crime

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Charlottesville Circuit Court where the case was disposed. The petition must include:

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

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court forwards copies to the Commonwealth's Attorney, who has 21 days to file an objection. If the Commonwealth objects, a hearing will be scheduled. The court will grant expungement if it finds that:

  • The continued existence of the record causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner, or
  • The petitioner has no prior criminal record, the arrest was for a misdemeanor, and five years have elapsed since the date of the arrest

When granted, expungement orders are sent to all agencies possessing records related to the arrest, including:

  • Charlottesville Police Department
  • Virginia State Police
  • Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail
  • Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation

Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office
315 East High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3766
Charlottesville Circuit Court

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