>Clarke County Arrest Records Online

Clarke County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clarke County, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Clarke County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or essential to the protection of public safety. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to facilitate citizen oversight of law enforcement activities.

Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to monitor the operations of public agencies, including the Clarke County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. This access supports the public interest in maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system while balancing individual privacy concerns as outlined in § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia, which governs criminal records disclosure.

The Virginia State Police, as the central repository for criminal history information, maintains records that include arrests made in Clarke County. These records are subject to specific regulations regarding their dissemination as established by the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division and state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clarke County?

Clarke County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, though the availability and comprehensiveness of these records vary by source. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides limited access to court records related to arrests, including case status, hearing dates, and disposition information.

The following online resources are available to the public:

• The Virginia Court Case Information system provides searchable access to court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests in Clarke County • The Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator system allows searches for individuals currently incarcerated following conviction • Third-party aggregator websites compile public record information, though these sources may not contain complete or current data

Pursuant to § 17.1-293 of the Code of Virginia, certain identifying information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public access to the substantive content of the records. Users of online systems should be aware that records available electronically may not contain all information available in the physical records maintained at the courthouse.

The Clarke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains the official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings, with electronic access serving as a convenience supplement to the official record.

How to Look Up Clarke County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Clarke County arrest records may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The Commonwealth of Virginia has established multiple channels through which these records may be accessed in accordance with state public records laws.

To obtain arrest records in Clarke County, interested parties may:

• Visit the Clarke County Sheriff's Office located at 100 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (540) 955-5152.

• Submit a request to the Clarke Circuit Court at 102 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (540) 955-5116.

• Utilize the Virginia State Police Criminal History Record Request system for official criminal history information. Requests may be submitted to Virginia State Police, Criminal Records Division, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285-5076. Telephone: (804) 674-2000.

• Access the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator for information on individuals currently incarcerated following conviction.

• Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the appropriate law enforcement agency pursuant to § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia. Requests must be reasonably specific and may be subject to statutory fees for search and reproduction costs.

Requestors should note that pursuant to § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia, certain criminal history record information may have restricted access depending on the purpose of the request and the identity of the requestor.

Contents of a Clarke County Arrest Record

Clarke County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Virginia law and criminal justice information protocols. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and initiate the criminal justice process documentation.

Standard arrest records in Clarke County include:

• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and residential address • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s) • Identity of the arresting agency and officer • Booking information, including fingerprints and mugshot photographs • Case number and court docket information • Bail or bond determination and conditions • Custody status information • Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

Pursuant to § 19.2-390 of the Code of Virginia, law enforcement agencies are required to report arrest information to the Central Criminal Records Exchange maintained by the Virginia State Police. This reporting must occur within 72 hours of the arrest and includes fingerprint data and other identifying information.

The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) maintains electronic records of arrests that are accessible to authorized criminal justice agencies throughout the Commonwealth. These records are subject to audit and quality control measures to ensure accuracy and completeness as required by state and federal regulations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clarke County

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in § 19.2-392.2 of the Code of Virginia. Expungement petitions in Clarke County must be filed with the Circuit Court and are subject to judicial review.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Clarke County include:

• Acquittal of the charged offense • 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 Clarke County Circuit Court • Payment of the required filing fee (currently $88) • Submission of fingerprints to the law enforcement agency • Notification to the Commonwealth's Attorney • Judicial hearing, if required

Pursuant to recent amendments to Virginia law, certain marijuana possession arrests may be eligible for automatic expungement under § 19.2-392.2:1. Additionally, the Clean Slate Act of Virginia provides for automatic sealing of certain eligible records after specified waiting periods.

The Clarke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 102 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611 maintains the necessary forms for expungement petitions. Petitioners may benefit from legal counsel when navigating the expungement process due to its procedural complexity.