>Hopewell City County Arrest Records Online

Hopewell Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hopewell, Virginia?

Arrest records in Hopewell, Virginia are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 inspect and copy records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies. Arrest records are classified as public information to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and accountability of law enforcement operations.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically designates criminal records, including arrest information, as public records subject to disclosure with certain limited exceptions. These exceptions primarily relate to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and information that might compromise public safety if released. The Hopewell Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is public, certain administrative procedures must be followed to obtain copies. Requestors may be required to submit formal written requests and pay reasonable fees for search time and duplication costs as permitted under § 2.2-3704(F) of the Code of Virginia.

How to Look Up Hopewell Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Hopewell, Virginia. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Visit the Hopewell Police Department in person to request arrest record information. The Records Division processes these requests during regular business hours.

Hopewell Police Department
150 W Randolph Road
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone: 804-541-2282
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Submit a request to the Hopewell Sheriff's Office, which maintains certain arrest records related to their jurisdictional responsibilities.

Hopewell Sheriff's Office
100 E Broadway
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone: 804-541-2800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Access the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator for information on individuals currently incarcerated in the state prison system.
Visit the Hopewell Circuit Court Clerk's Office to review court records related to arrests and subsequent case proceedings.

Clerk of Circuit Court
100 E Broadway, Room 251
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone: 804-541-2239
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Submit a Criminal History Record request to the Virginia State Police through their Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). This service requires fingerprinting and payment of statutory fees pursuant to § 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia.

Virginia State Police
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: 804-674-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should note that processing times vary depending on the agency and the complexity of the request. Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-3704 and may include charges for search time, copying, and certification of documents.

Contents of a Hopewell Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Hopewell law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Virginia state law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Case or incident report number for cross-reference purposes
Initial appearance information and bail determination
Detention facility information if the individual was remanded to custody

The Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases may contain additional information linked to the arrest record, including criminal history information from other jurisdictions. Access to these comprehensive databases is restricted to authorized law enforcement personnel and is governed by strict protocols established by the Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 9.1-130, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations or public safety.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hopewell

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2. Individuals may petition for expungement of Hopewell arrest records when:

The arrest was made without probable cause
The case resulted in an acquittal
The charges were nolle prossed (formally abandoned by the prosecutor)
The case was otherwise dismissed, including dismissals with prejudice
The individual received an absolute pardon for a crime they did not commit

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Hopewell Circuit Court where the case was disposed. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest warrant or indictment
The date of the arrest
The specific charges to be expunged
The date of the final disposition of the charge
The petitioner's fingerprints obtained from a law enforcement agency

Hopewell Circuit Court
100 East Broadway
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone: 804-541-2239
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

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 no objection is filed, the court may enter an order of expungement without a hearing. If an objection is filed, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether the continued existence of the arrest record would constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner.

It is important to note that under Virginia law, expungement does not result in the destruction of records but rather their removal from public access and sealing within confidential files. Law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes as specified in § 19.2-392.3 of the Code of Virginia.

Individuals with arrest records stemming from convictions should be aware that Virginia law generally does not permit expungement of conviction records except in very limited circumstances involving absolute pardons or identity theft situations.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Hopewell are generally public, several statutory exemptions limit access to certain information. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3706) specifically exempts the following categories of records from mandatory disclosure:

Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
Criminal investigative files related to a criminal investigation or prosecution
Records containing identifying information of confidential informants
Tactical plans and operational procedures that would jeopardize law enforcement operations
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under § 16.1-301
Records related to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking where disclosure would jeopardize safety
Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel

The Hopewell Police Department and other law enforcement agencies must carefully review and redact exempt information before releasing arrest records to the public. Individuals seeking access to records that may contain exempt information should be prepared to demonstrate a legitimate interest in the information and may be required to submit specific written requests detailing the information sought.

Additionally, federal laws including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may further restrict the disclosure of certain information contained within arrest records, particularly medical information obtained during the arrest process.