Charlottesville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Charlottesville, Virginia?
Arrest records in Charlottesville, 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 presumption that all government records shall be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or other statute. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this transparency to ensure governmental accountability and to uphold the public's constitutional right to information regarding the operations of public bodies.
The Charlottesville Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records document interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals suspected of criminal activity within the jurisdiction. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy as permitted under § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia, the fundamental arrest information remains accessible to the public.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain exemptions may apply to juvenile records, records pertaining to ongoing investigations, or records containing information that could compromise public safety if disclosed. The determination regarding such exemptions is made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records in accordance with state law.
How to Look Up Charlottesville Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Charlottesville provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Each method is designed to accommodate different needs while ensuring compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Charlottesville Police Department
606 East Market Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3280
Official Website
Charlottesville City Hall
605 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3333
Official Website
Hours of operation for public record requests at both locations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding city holidays.
For electronic submissions, the City of Charlottesville maintains an online police report request portal where citizens may submit FOIA requests for arrest records. The online system requires users to create an account and provide specific information regarding the requested records.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to either of the above addresses, with "ATTN: Records Division" clearly indicated on the envelope. All written requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
Pursuant to § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, all FOIA requests must receive a response within five working days. Fees may apply for the search, retrieval, and copying of records in accordance with the actual cost of fulfilling the request.
Contents of a Charlottesville Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Charlottesville Police Department contain standardized information as required by Virginia law and departmental policy. These documents serve as the official record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.
Standard information contained in Charlottesville arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including processing date and time
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Residential address as provided by the arrested individual
- Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken during processing
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Case number and incident report reference
- Initial court appearance information
- Bail or bond determination, if applicable
It should be noted that pursuant to § 2.2-3706(A)(2)(a) of the Code of Virginia, certain information may be withheld if its release could jeopardize an ongoing investigation or compromise public safety. Additionally, information regarding juvenile arrestees is subject to heightened confidentiality protections under § 16.1-301 of the Code of Virginia.
The Charlottesville Police Department maintains these records in both physical and digital formats, with retention schedules determined by the Library of Virginia's Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for law enforcement agencies.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Charlottesville
The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Eligibility for expungement in Charlottesville is limited to the following circumstances:
- The individual was acquitted of all charges
- All charges were nolle prossed (formally abandoned by the prosecutor)
- 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 charge was otherwise dismissed, including dismissals pursuant to first-offender programs
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Charlottesville Circuit Court located at:
Charlottesville Circuit Court
315 East High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 970-3766
Official Website
Petitioners must file Form CC-1473, "Petition for Expungement Filed in a Circuit Court – Acquittal/Dismissal," along with a complete set of fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency. The petition must be accompanied by the required filing fee, which as of 2025 is $88.00 for each case number to be expunged.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court forwards the request to the Commonwealth's Attorney for review. The Commonwealth's Attorney has 21 days to file an objection to the petition. If no objection is filed, or if the court overrules any objection, the court will enter an order requiring the expungement of all police and court records related to the charge.
It should be noted that expungement in Virginia is not automatic, even for eligible cases. The burden remains on the individual to initiate and complete the expungement process through proper legal channels.
Search Arrest Records in Charlottesville
