>Dinwiddie County Arrest Records Online

Dinwiddie County, Virginia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dinwiddie County, Virginia?

Arrest records are public documents in Dinwiddie 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 shall be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this policy to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold the principle that the affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in secrecy.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Dinwiddie County Circuit Court, which serves as the court administrator for all civil and criminal court cases. The Clerk of Court creates and maintains all court files and records, including those pertaining to arrests within the jurisdiction.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:

Ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (protected under Code of Virginia § 16.1-301)
Records sealed by court order
Information that would compromise public safety

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dinwiddie County?

Dinwiddie County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official channels. The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System offers a searchable database of court records, including those related to criminal cases and arrests. However, pursuant to Virginia Code § 17.1-293, certain identifying information may be redacted from online records to protect individual privacy.

The Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within their jurisdiction. While not all records are available online, the Sheriff's Office provides certain public information regarding recent arrests and inmate status through their official website.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following limitations:

Records may not be comprehensive or include historical data
Certain sensitive information may be redacted
Case details may require in-person requests for complete information
Technical limitations may affect availability of certain records

How to Look Up Dinwiddie County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Dinwiddie County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office
14010 Courthouse Road
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Phone: (804) 469-4550
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all arrests conducted by their deputies. Requestors must complete a records request form and may be required to pay applicable fees for document reproduction.

Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
14008 Courthouse Road
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Phone: (804) 469-4540
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

The Circuit Court maintains criminal case information and associated arrest records. Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 17.1-208, the clerk shall make these records available for public inspection during regular office hours.

Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System
This statewide system provides access to court records, including criminal cases. Users may search by name or case number to locate information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
Phone: (804) 674-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For official criminal history reports, individuals may submit requests to the Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange. These reports include arrest data from all Virginia jurisdictions, including Dinwiddie County.

Contents of a Dinwiddie County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Dinwiddie County authorities typically contain standardized information as required by Virginia law. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and subsequent processing of individuals accused of criminal offenses.

Standard information contained in Dinwiddie County arrest records includes:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges filed, with reference to applicable Virginia Code sections
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification information
Case number and court docket information
Bail or bond determination
Custody status

The Dinwiddie Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with record retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia. Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 42.1-86.1, these records must be preserved for specified periods depending on case disposition and severity of charges.

Additional documentation related to arrests, such as search warrants, may be maintained separately but are generally accessible through similar channels. When magistrates issue search warrants in Dinwiddie County, these documents become part of the official record once executed and returned.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dinwiddie County

Under certain circumstances, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Dinwiddie County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. This process is governed by Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dinwiddie County include:

Acquittal of all charges
Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Dismissal of charges
Absolute pardon for wrongful conviction

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a petition for expungement with the Dinwiddie Circuit Court
Submit to fingerprinting by law enforcement
Pay applicable filing fees (currently $88.00)
Attend a hearing before a Circuit Court judge

The Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office will take fingerprints and forward them with the petition to the Virginia State Police for a criminal history background check. The Commonwealth's Attorney has the right to object to the petition, in which case a hearing will be scheduled.

It should be noted that expungement is not available for convictions in Virginia except in very limited circumstances. Additionally, certain records may be sealed from public view but retained for law enforcement purposes even after expungement is granted.