Arrest records are public documents in Greene County, Virginia, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies operating within Greene County. The VFOIA operates under the principle that government records shall be open to inspection by citizens of the Commonwealth, with certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, personal privacy, and public safety.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency. The Greene County Sheriff's Office maintains the majority of local arrest records and must respond to requests within five working days, as mandated by § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia. While certain information may be redacted in accordance with statutory exemptions, the fundamental public nature of arrest records remains protected under Virginia law.
Greene County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Greene County Circuit Court provides online access to certain court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Additionally, the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System offers a searchable database that includes Greene County cases.
The online availability of arrest records is governed by Virginia Code § 17.1-293, which establishes parameters for remote access to court records. While basic case information is typically available online, certain sensitive information may be restricted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in state law. The following online resources are maintained for public use:
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete arrest record information, and certain details may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
Individuals seeking Greene County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by Virginia public records laws. The primary options include:
Submitting a records request to the Greene County Sheriff's Office located at 10005 Spotswood Trail, Stanardsville, VA 22973. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at (434) 985-2222.
Visiting the Greene County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 22 Court Street, Stanardsville, VA 22973. The office operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be contacted at (434) 985-5208.
Utilizing the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator for information on individuals currently in state custody.
Accessing the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, which provides searchable access to court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests in Greene County.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, or searching for requested records.
Greene County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Virginia Code § 19.2-390, which governs the reporting of criminal history record information. A typical arrest record includes:
The Greene County Circuit Court maintains records of felony cases, while the Greene County General District Court maintains records of misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings for felonies. Both courts are located at the Greene County Courthouse, 22 Court Street, Stanardsville, VA 22973.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy protections established by law.
The expungement process in Greene County follows Virginia state law as outlined in Code of Virginia § 19.2-392.2. Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances, including:
The expungement petition must be filed with the Greene Circuit Court where the case was disposed. Petitioners must submit:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court forwards copies to the Commonwealth's Attorney, who has 21 days to file an objection. If the Commonwealth objects, a hearing will be scheduled. The court will grant expungement if it finds that the continued existence of the record would cause a manifest injustice to the petitioner.
Successful expungement results in the removal of records from public access and from the automated systems maintained by law enforcement agencies. However, certain non-public records may be retained by law enforcement for internal use in accordance with Virginia Code § 19.2-392.3.