>Danville City County Arrest Records Online

Danville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Danville, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Danville, 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 Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this policy to ensure governmental transparency and accountability to its citizens. Arrest records, as official documentation of law enforcement activities, fall within the scope of public records that citizens have the legal right to access.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically addresses criminal records in § 2.2-3706, which requires law enforcement agencies to release information regarding adult arrestees, including names, charges, and arrest circumstances. This provision serves the public interest by allowing community members to monitor law enforcement activities and the administration of justice within their locality.

How to Look Up Danville Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Danville have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The City of Danville maintains several access points for arrest record retrieval:

Danville Police Department: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Records Division. The department maintains records of all arrests within city jurisdiction.

Danville Police Department
427 Patton Street
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 799-6510
Danville Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Danville Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.

Danville Circuit Court Clerk's Office
401 Patton Street
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 799-5168
Case File Information
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Resources: The Danville Police Department maintains a Police-to-Citizen (P2C) portal where recent arrest information and wanted persons can be viewed.
Virginia Judicial System: The Virginia Courts Case Information System provides access to court records associated with arrests.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, or supplying requested records. Identification may be required when requesting records in person.

Contents of a Danville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Danville law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrested individual and the circumstances of their apprehension. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Full legal name of the arrestee and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Residential address as provided at time of arrest
Photograph (booking photo/mugshot)
Fingerprint classification and identification data
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking information including date, time, and facility
Court docket or case number
Disposition information (if available)
Bail or bond amount (if applicable)

It should be noted that pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-389, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims, particularly in cases involving minors or sexual offenses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Danville

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed.

Individuals may petition for expungement in Danville when:

The individual was acquitted of all charges
A nolle prosequi was taken or the charges were otherwise dismissed
The individual was granted 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 petitioners to:

File a petition for expungement with the Circuit Court of the City of Danville
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $88 as of 2025)
Obtain a complete set of fingerprints from a law enforcement agency
Submit to a criminal history check
Attend a hearing if required by the court

Danville Circuit Court
401 Patton Street
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 799-5168
Danville Circuit Court Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Petitioners should be aware that pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2(F), the court shall require the petitioner to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the continued existence of the record would constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner. Legal representation is strongly advised for individuals seeking expungement.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Danville, Virginia law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility. These limitations are designed to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3706(B), the following information may be withheld from public disclosure:

Information that would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution
Records related to undercover operations or protected informants
Tactical plans or security protocols that could compromise officer safety
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to stricter confidentiality under § 16.1-301
Victim identifying information in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence
Medical information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Additionally, the Federal Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a) may restrict the dissemination of certain arrest records that are maintained in federal databases or by federally funded programs.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Danville may utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to applicable state and federal regulations. The following guidelines apply to such usage:

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), employers must obtain written consent before conducting background checks that include arrest record searches
Virginia Code § 19.2-392.4 prohibits employers from asking applicants about arrests that did not result in conviction
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance advises employers to consider the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to the position when evaluating arrest records
Public housing authorities and certain licensed professions may have statutory authority to consider arrest records under specific circumstances

Entities conducting background checks using arrest records should consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, including those prohibiting discrimination based on protected characteristics.