>Fairfax City County Arrest Records Online

Fairfax Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fairfax, Virginia?

Arrest records are public in Fairfax, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies, including arrest records held by law enforcement agencies, shall be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains this policy of transparency to ensure open government operations and an informed citizenry. Members of the public may access these records through designated channels, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 2.2-3706 of the Code of Virginia.

How to Look Up Fairfax Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Fairfax County, with digital platforms becoming increasingly prevalent in 2025. The following official channels are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:

Online Case Information System: The Virginia Judicial System provides a centralized database where citizens may search adult criminal case information, including arrest records.
Fairfax County Police Department: Individuals may submit requests for arrest records directly to the Fairfax County Police Department either in person or through their online portal.

Fairfax County Police Department
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-691-2131 (Non-Emergency)
Official Website
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains records related to individuals processed through the Adult Detention Center.

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-3227
Official Website
Fairfax County Circuit Court: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains criminal case records that may include arrest information.

Fairfax County Circuit Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Official Website
Written Requests: Pursuant to VFOIA § 2.2-3704, citizens may submit written requests to the custodian of the desired records. Agencies must respond within five working days, either providing the records or citing a specific statutory exemption.

Contents of a Fairfax Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Fairfax County law enforcement agencies contain specific information as mandated by Virginia Code § 19.2-390. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and jurisdiction of the arresting agency
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint data collected during processing
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Custody status information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in VFOIA § 2.2-3706, particularly when disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger an individual.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fairfax

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2. Individuals who meet statutory criteria may petition for expungement to remove arrest information from public access.

Eligibility for expungement in Fairfax County is generally limited to the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal
Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Dismissal of charges
Absolute pardon for wrongful conviction
Identity theft cases where the arrested person was not the person named in the warrant

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Fairfax Circuit Court, payment of applicable filing fees, and submission of fingerprints to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Pursuant to § 19.2-392.2(F), the Commonwealth's Attorney has 21 days to file an objection to the petition. If no objection is filed, or if the court determines that continued access to the record would constitute a manifest injustice, the court may order expungement.

Fairfax County Circuit Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Room 102
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website

It should be noted that expungement in Virginia is not automatic, even for eligible cases. The burden rests with the petitioner to demonstrate that the continued existence of the record causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Fairfax County, several statutory limitations restrict access to certain records. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-301, records concerning juvenile arrests are not available to the public except under specific circumstances. Additionally, VFOIA § 2.2-3706(B) exempts from disclosure:

Records that would jeopardize ongoing investigations
Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants
Criminal investigative files related to ongoing investigations
Records containing identifying information of victims of certain crimes
Records that would endanger the safety of any person

The Fairfax County General District Court maintains specific policies regarding criminal records retention and access in accordance with these statutory provisions.

Fairfax County General District Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-3764
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website

Legal Uses of Arrest Record Information

The Commonwealth of Virginia imposes restrictions on how arrest record information may be utilized, particularly by employers, educational institutions, and housing providers. Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.4, it is unlawful to require an individual to disclose information about arrests that did not result in conviction, or convictions that have been expunged.

The Virginia Department of Corrections maintains an inmate locator system that provides information on individuals currently incarcerated or under community supervision, which may include arrest information that resulted in conviction.

Virginia Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261
804-674-3000
Official Website